Dear friends,

We’re sorry these emails are not as frequent as they should be. We are in a very intense moment in Alaa’s family.

As you’ll most likely know, on September 29th when Alaa’s latest five-year sentence ended, the Egyptian government refused to release him.

His mother, Dr. Laila Soueif, declared a hunger strike and today marks her 70th day surviving on only black coffee, herbal tea and salts.

She refuses to eat until he is released and has vowed that she will see this through to the end.

Laila's hunger strike has spurred serious international, domestic and media attention:

Alaa has been repeatedly raised in parliament, by four different political parties.

There is a relay chain of hunger strikers in solidarity taking action around the world.

Eminent figures within Egypt are posting public shows of support.

There has been media coverage from across the political spectrum.

And as we reach this crisis point there are, as ever, ways everyone can help:

1. Keep writing to your MP (if you're in the UK). It is making a difference. For information of specific MPs who have really taken up Alaa’s case please scroll down. Get your friends and family to write to theirs using our website tool here.

2. If your MP is in the cabinet and you are willing to go to their local surgery this Friday to ask them to raise Alaa’s case with the Prime Minister, please get in touch with us (freedomforalaa@gmail.com).

3. Join our new group, Social Media Boosters on telegram (anonymous) or whatsapp (not anonymous). We will post key tweets or IG posts that we think need extra amplification into this group - all you have to do is click on them and RT. You can also invite your friends to join these groups.

4. As ever, read and share Alaa’s work.

We will work hard to share more regular updates with you all in these coming, crucial, days

From the #FreeAlaa campaign