Egyptian authorities have denied entry to the country to the Italian activist Giorgio Caracciolo from the anti-torture group Dignity, even though he was accredited to attend COP27. This comes amid mounting international pressure to release British-Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abd El-Fattah, who was denied a visit from his lawyer yesterday, as his family grows increasingly concerned for his life after he entered a complete food and water strike Sunday. President Biden is meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi today in Sharm el-Sheikh. In a direct appeal to Biden, Alaa’s sister Sanaa Seif said, “You can make the difference here. You can save Alaa, and you can show that there is some hope and potential for common sense, freedom, democracy. Don’t fail us, please.” Meanwhile, Egypt’s Interior Ministry announced a state of high alert after calls for demonstrations today. Cairo and other major cities are in a state of lockdown with security forces maintaining a heavy presence in the streets.