Laila Soueif, an Egyptian mathematician and professor, has been on a hunger strike for 55 days to protest the imprisonment of her son, Alaa Abd El Fattah, one of Egypt's best known political prisoners. Egyptian authorities have refused to release him after serving a five-year sentence, and his family fears he may be held indefinitely. Soueif plans to continue her hunger strike until her son is free, surviving on water, rehydration salts, and sugarless tea and coffee. She is seeking the help of the British government to secure his release, but diplomatic efforts have had mixed success in the past.