Alaa Abd el-Fattah, the 44-year-old Egyptian-British pro-democracy campaigner who arrived in the UK last week after years in Egyptian prisons, has publicly apologised for social media comments he made over a decade ago that have been labelled “shocking and hurtful.”
The apology, issued Monday, comes amid growing calls from British politicians to review his right to stay in the country.
What Sparked the Backlash
Posts from 2008–2014 resurfaced in UK media, containing language seen as endorsing violence against police and certain communities. Abd el-Fattah acknowledged some were taken out of context but said others were simply wrong.
“Those words came from a young man angry about wars abroad and brutality at home,” he explained. “They do not reflect who I am today, and I am truly sorry for the pain they caused.”
Political Storm in Westminster
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage demanded his deportation
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged a review of his citizenship status
- The Foreign Office called the old comments “abhorrent” and contrary to British values
- The Board of Deputies of British Jews raised concerns over vetting procedures
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had welcomed Abd el-Fattah’s release last Friday, but the government now faces pressure over the decision.
From Icon to Controversy
Abd el-Fattah became a global symbol of resistance during Egypt’s crackdown under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He gained British citizenship through his mother in 2021 and served a five-year sentence ending last week for sharing information about prison conditions.
Supporters insist his lifelong fight for democracy outweighs youthful online remarks, while critics argue the posts disqualify him from refuge in the UK.
The debate shows no sign of cooling as Abd el-Fattah begins life in Britain.
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