"A previous attempt by Abd el-Fattah to leave Cairo for London in November after his release from jail, was blocked by the security forces a month ago. He has since been trying to negotiate an agreement whereby he is allowed to travel freely between Cairo and London and not be permanently excluded from Egypt if he came to the UK."
"His sister Mona Seif said: I can't believe it's finally happened and Alaa has made it to London. We thought it was impossible, but here he is. Hundreds of people around the world did so much to help bring this moment about. Alaa is free and we can finally begin to heal as a family. The family believe the agreement will allow him to travel back and forth between the UK and Egypt."
Alaa Abd el-Fattah arrived in London after the Egyptian government lifted a travel ban following his September release from jail. He had been held nearly continuously for ten years, largely for opposing the treatment of dissidents, and spent two years beyond a five-year sentence because Cairo did not credit his pre-trial detention as time served. A November attempt to leave Cairo was blocked by security forces, prompting negotiations for an agreement to allow travel between Cairo and London without permanent exclusion. Family members announced his arrival on Facebook, celebrated the reunion, and a human rights group expressed hope for a new chapter as he reunites with his son.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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