For the first time since he stopped drinking water earlier this month, the mother and sister of famed incarcerated British-Egyptian writer and democratic activist Alaa Abdel Fattah are scheduled to visit him later on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the family received a note from him saying that he had broken the hunger strike he began in April, and would explain everything on their next monthly visit.

Mr Abdel Fattah refused food in the hope that it would at least help secure him a visit from British diplomats - though this was never allowed.

Britain, with several other countries, has called for his immediate release.

Source: BBC