Laila Soueif, mother of Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, is currently in critical condition in a London hospital after resuming a full hunger strike on May 20, 2025.
Her protest began on September 29, 2024—the date when her son was supposed to be released after serving a five-year sentence—and lasted 242 days. During this time, she lost 42% of her body weight.
She was rushed to St Thomas’ Hospital with dangerously low blood sugar levels and continues to refuse any medical treatment that provides calories.
Soueif had temporarily suspended the hunger strike in March 2025, after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to pressure the Egyptian government for her son’s release.
However, faced with the lack of concrete progress, she decided to resume the protest. Her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, imprisoned since 2019 for “spreading false news,” has also launched a 90-day hunger strike, joining his mother’s desperate plea for justice.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has recently declared Alaa’s imprisonment illegal, stating it violates international law and calling for his immediate release.
Nonetheless, the Egyptian authorities have yet to act on the recommendation.
Soueif’s family has expressed deep concern for her life, warning that she is “close to death” and in serious danger.
The UK government claims it is engaged in talks with Egyptian officials to secure Alaa’s release and is closely monitoring Soueif’s condition.
