Name: Egyptian dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah arrives in London
Uploaded: 2025-12-27T14:55:35.780Z
Duration: 1 min 25 s
Description: British-Egyptian dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah has arrived in London after Egyptian authorities lifted a travel ban that had remained in place despite his release from prison in September.

British-Egyptian dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah has arrived in London after Egyptian authorities lifted a travel ban that had remained in place despite his release from prison in September.

London

British-Egyptian dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah has arrived in London after Egyptian authorities lifted a travel ban that had remained in place despite his release from prison in September. Abd el-Fattah, a prominent activist and writer, spent almost ten years in prison, largely for his criticism of the Egyptian government's treatment of dissidents.

His first attempt to leave Egypt was blocked by security forces, but after negotiations, he was permitted to travel. Abd el-Fattah's arrival in the UK is seen as a significant moment for human rights advocates, though questions remain regarding his rights and status in Egypt.

Egyptian dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah arrives in London

British-Egyptian dissident Alaa Abdi al-Fattah arrives in London after Egyptian authorities lifted a travel ban that had remained in place, despite his release from prison in September. Abdi al-Fattah spent nearly a decade behind bars, largely for speaking out against the Egyptian government's treatment of dissidents. Although he had already completed a five-year sentence, authorities kept him imprisoned for an additional two years, refusing to count his pre-trial detention as time served. A first attempt to leave Cairo for London last November was blocked by security forces. Since then, Abdi al-Fattah had been negotiating permission to travel freely, amid fears that leaving Egypt could mean permanent exile. His arrival in the UK marks a major moment for one of the most prominent voices to emerge from the Arab Spring. From a family of well-known human rights activists, Abdi al-Fattah rose to prominence in 2011, gaining international recognition for his clear, non-sectarian writing and advocacy. In 2019, he was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news after a trial widely criticised by rights groups. Last year, his family were stunned when authorities indicated he would not be released until 2027. Now back in London, supporters say his freedom to travel represents a hard-won step forward, but question remains over his rights back in Egypt.

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