Ex-Journalist to Embark on Hunger Strike in Solidarity with Jailed Egyptian Activist
Former journalist Peter Greste is urging the Egyptian authorities to release Egyptian-British blogger and political activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah.
An ex-journalist who faced imprisonment in Egypt has vowed to go on a hunger strike to push for the release of a democracy activist in prolonged detention.
Peter Greste, a renowned journalist with a background in BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, has committed to flying to London to shed light on the plight of Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a prominent Egyptian-British blogger and activist.
El-Fattah gained recognition for his activism during the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt back in 2011.
He has been arrested and jailed multiple times by Egyptian authorities, with his most recent stint in 2019 resulting in a five-year sentence for spreading false news that jeopardized national security.
Reports indicate that El-Fattah has endured torture and mistreatment in prison.
The blogger was initially set for release in September 2024, but authorities extended his prison term to January 2027, disregarding the time he spent in pre-trial detention.
Various international human rights organizations have expressed concern over El-Fattah’s prolonged imprisonment and have urged for his unconditional release.
The Hunger Strike
During his visit to London, Greste announced a three-week hunger strike in solidarity with El-Fattah’s mother, who has been fasting for over 100 days.
Greste stated, “I was inspired to go on a hunger strike after witnessing his mother’s determination. I’ve felt helpless for a long time as I couldn’t do much from Australia.”
Laila Soueif is seen holding a portrait of her son, Alaa Abd El-Fattah in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan, 7, 2025. Sayed Hassan/Getty Images
Greste recalled how El-Fattah had supported him during his imprisonment in Cairo in December 2013, where he was sentenced to seven years behind bars for alleged news manipulation.
In 2015, Greste was deported following an agreement between the Australian and Egyptian governments.
The professor credited El-Fattah with helping him devise a strategy for his release during the difficult detention period, saying, “He was one of the first people I met when I was in prison. He helped me navigate the challenges of prison life when I was struggling.”
Although uncertain of the immediate impact of his protest in Egypt, Greste emphasized the importance of raising awareness about El-Fattah’s situation, stating, “We must continue to fight for justice. It’s not about achieving immediate freedom but about the collective effort that ultimately led to my release.”
