Family members of Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah Monday reported they have received a letter in Abd El-Fattah’s handwriting confirming he is still alive. Abd El-Fattah went on a water strike last week, and his lawyer claims he is not allowed to visit Abd El-Fattah in prison.

According to the letter shared by Abd El-Fattah’s sister Mona Seif, Abd El-Fattah began drinking water on Saturday and is receiving medical care while in prison. Sanaa Seif expressed outrage, claiming the letter was withheld from her family for two days.

Family members continue to call on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to help free Abd El-Fattah as COP27, the UN Conference on Climate Change, takes place in Egypt. According to his family, Abd El-Fattah became a citizen of the United Kingdom hoping dual citizenship would help him receive an early release.

Abd El-Fattah was convicted in 2021 of “spreading false news undermining national security” after he shared social media posts about human rights violations and was sentenced to five years in prison. Previously, Abd El-Fattah was on a partial hunger strike for more than 220 days.