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Family of Egyptian Activist Urges Lebanese PM to Secure His Freedom

The family of Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian opposition activist, has urgently appealed to the Lebanese authorities for his immediate release amid concerns regarding his potential deportation to Egypt, where he faces legal consequences. Al-Qaradawi is not only a prominent poet and writer but also a Turkish citizen, residing with his family in Istanbul.

In a statement released on Sunday, al-Qaradawi’s family emphasized their faith in the Lebanese government, expressing hope for a resolution that prioritizes justice and humane treatment. The family reached out to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, highlighting Lebanon’s historical significance as a bastion of freedom and human rights. They urged him to ensure al-Qaradawi’s safe return to his daughters, who eagerly await their father’s homecoming in Turkey.

Al-Qaradawi was detained at the Masnaa border crossing after entering Lebanon from Syria on December 28, following an Egyptian arrest warrant. His detention comes in the wake of a five-year prison sentence handed down in absentia by an Egyptian court. This ruling, which labels him as a threat to state security and accuses him of inciting terrorism, is believed to stem from a 2012 article he authored.

The family has raised alarms about the potential repercussions of extradition, emphasizing the critical situation surrounding human rights in Egypt, where systematic abuses are well-documented. They asserted that al-Qaradawi’s extradition could jeopardize his life, given the serious concerns regarding human rights violations faced by political dissidents in Egypt.

His legal representative in Lebanon, Mohammed Sablouh, has echoed these fears, warning that al-Qaradawi could suffer torture if handed over to Egyptian authorities. International organizations, including Amnesty International, have continuously condemned the abuses inflicted upon political dissidents in Egypt.

Al-Qaradawi has a long history of opposition to the Egyptian regime, having been a key figure in the movement against former President Hosni Mubarak. Moreover, he has emerged as a critical voice against the current administration led by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who rose to power following a military coup in 2013. The situation surrounding al-Qaradawi remains a focal point in the ongoing discourse about political freedom and human rights in the region, evoking sentiments of solidarity and justice from advocates worldwide.

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