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

Al-Qaradawi's family wants the Lebanese Prime Minister to intervene to prevent his deportation to Egypt, fearing danger to his life.

The family of Egyptian opposition activist Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi has urged the Lebanese authorities to release him immediately, as fears grow that he will be deported to Egypt where he is wanted by law.

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

“As a family, we rely on the wisdom of the Lebanese leadership and the honorable people of Lebanon,” the press release said. “Lebanon has always been a symbol of the defense of freedom, and we ask the Lebanese prime minister, in the name of justice and humanity, to intervene immediately to free him and ensure that he returns safely to his family and three waiting daughters. to him in Istanbul.”

Al-Qaradawi, the son of the late leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Yusuf al-Qaradawi, was arrested on December 28 because of an Egyptian arrest warrant, a Lebanese law enforcement official quoted by the AFP news agency and the family said. He was detained at the Masnaa border after entering Lebanon from Syria.

Al-Qaradawi was sentenced by an Egyptian court in absentia to five years in prison on charges of “opposition to the state and inciting terrorism”, the official said.

The family said the decision was a response to a document published by al-Qaradawi in 2012, warning that Lebanon would put al-Qaradawi's life at risk if it returned him to Egypt.

“His extradition to any country that wants him to risk his life, especially given the history of human rights violations in those countries,” said a press release issued on behalf of al-Qaradawi's family.

Al-Qaradawi's lawyer in Lebanon, Mohammed Sablouh, had previously said that his client could be tortured if handed over to Egypt, accused by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International of suppressing political dissidents and committing crimes that include torture “with impunity.” “.

Al-Qaradawi's family's letter is part of a campaign for his release and return to Turkey.

The 53-year-old suspect had been opposed to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who was overthrown in 2011.

This activist has also become a strong critic of the current leader of Egypt, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who came to power after a coup in 2013 against the elected President Mohamed Morsi, who died in prison.