Mon Dec 29 13:53:56 UTC 2025: News Article:

Alaa Abd El-Fattah Apologizes for Decade-Old Tweets Amidst UK Citizenship Controversy

London – Egyptian-British writer and activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah has issued an “unequivocal” apology for controversial tweets from over a decade ago, as right-wing figures in the UK demand his British citizenship be revoked. The apology comes shortly after Abd El-Fattah’s return to Britain following 12 years of imprisonment in Egypt.

The tweets, dating back to 2010, contained references to violence and controversial opinions that have been seized upon by Conservative and Reform UK leaders, as well as right-wing commentators. These individuals are arguing that the content of the tweets warrants the removal of Abd El-Fattah’s citizenship.

In his apology, posted online, Abd El-Fattah acknowledged that the tweets were “shocking and hurtful,” but clarified that some have been “completely twisted.” He characterized them as the product of a “young man’s anger and frustrations” during a period of regional turmoil, including the wars in Iraq and Gaza.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has publicly called on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to consider stripping Abd El-Fattah of his citizenship. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also weighed in, criticizing the decision to grant Abd El-Fattah citizenship in 2021.

Supporters of Abd El-Fattah have condemned the calls for revocation as a politically motivated smear campaign. They highlight his years of unjust imprisonment in Egypt and emphasize the importance of his hard-won freedom. Human rights activists have pointed to existing UK policy that allows for citizenship revocation based on “public good”, which they argue disproportionately impacts British Muslims.

The controversy has drawn further attention due to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s earlier expression of delight at Abd El-Fattah’s return, a sentiment echoed by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Abd El-Fattah has been a prominent critic of the Egyptian government and faced multiple imprisonments on charges of spreading fake news before receiving a pardon in September.

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