The family of the Egyptian activist al-Qaradawi appealed to the Prime Minister of Lebanon for his release Human Rights News

Al-Qaradawi’s family is seeking the intervention of Lebanon’s prime minister to prevent his deportation to Egypt, fearing his life is at risk.

The family of an Egyptian opposition activist Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi It called on Lebanese authorities to release him immediately as fears grew that he would be deported to Egypt, where he is wanted by law.

Al-Qaradawi’s family members said in a press release on Sunday that they sent a letter to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati asking him to intervene in the case of the Egyptian poet and writer, who is a citizen of Turkey and lives here with his family. Istanbul.

“As a family, we rely on the wisdom of the Lebanese leadership and the dignified people of Lebanon,” the press release said. “Lebanon has always been a symbol of the defense of freedoms and we appeal to the Lebanese Prime Minister for the sake of justice and humanity to immediately intervene for his release and ensure his safe return to his family and three waiting daughters. for him in Istanbul”.

Al-Qaradawi, the son of late Muslim Brotherhood cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, was arrested on December 28 on an Egyptian arrest warrant, a Lebanese justice official said, citing his family and the AFP news agency. After entering Lebanon from Syria, he was detained at Masnaa border crossing point.

The official said that Al-Qaradawi was sentenced in absentia by an Egyptian court to 5 years in prison on charges of “opposing the state and inciting terrorism”.

The family said the sentence was in response to an article published by al-Qaradawi in 2012, warning that Lebanon would put his life in danger if he were extradited to Egypt.

In a press release issued on behalf of Al-Qaradawi’s family, “His extradition to any country that requests him poses a threat to his life, especially given the human rights violations in those countries.”

Al-Qaradawi’s lawyer in Lebanon, Mohammad Sablouh, has previously said that his client could be tortured if extradited to Egypt. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have been accused of repressing political dissidents and committing crimes, including torture. “with impunity”.

The letter from al-Qaradawi’s family is part of a campaign calling for his release and return to Turkey.

This 53-year-old man was a long-time opponent of the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown in 2011 as a result of the revolution in the country.

The activist has also become a staunch critic of Egypt’s current leader, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who came to power in 2013 after a bloody coup against elected President Mohamed Morsi and later died in prison.