Alaa Abdel Fattah: Freed British-Egyptian activist not allowed to fly to UK, family says

Alaa Abdel Fattah was Egypt's best known political prisoner until seven weeks ago, when he was released from jail.

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Mr Abdel Fattah, 43, was Egypt's best known political prisoner until seven weeks ago, when he was released from jail after being granted a pardon by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

He attempted to fly to London on Tuesday with his sister Sanaa, but was told by officials at Cairo International Airport that he was not allowed to travel.

"They blocked him from boarding the flight and I had to go alone," Sanaa told the BBC's Today programme on Friday. There was no immediate comment from the Egyptian government.

"They didn't explain much. Our lawyers in Egypt are trying to understand the legal grounds," Sanaa said.