Greta Thunberg backs UK university student who fears for his safety after visa revoked

A student and pro-Palestinian activist whose UK visa sponsorship was canceled by his university says he fears for his safety if he is deported to his native Egypt.

Usama Ghanem, 21, has been suspended indefinitely from King’s College London (KCL), prompting the Home Office to cancel his student visa and issue a suspension notice.

Greta Thunberg and Jeremy Corbyn are among the high-profile names who have joined in the criticism of KCL following the decision.

Mr. Ghanem lived under an authoritarian regime in Egypt, where he says he was imprisoned in 2020 and tortured for being politically outspoken against government corruption. He said KCL “must have been well aware” that returning was not a safe option as he had written a personal statement about his experiences.

“Being returned to this authoritarian regime that kills its own people, that imprisons and tortures its own people would endanger my life,” he told The Independent.

The sophomore has been subject to three disciplinary actions since last June following his Palestine activism. KCL insists it “does not subject students to disciplinary action on the basis of lawful protest.”

Ms Thunberg, who was recently detained by Israel for leading an aid fleet to Gaza, posted on Instagram: “This unjust decision follows pressure from Zionist lobby groups to which King’s College has shamefully capitulated, betraying its commitment to freedom of expression and academic integrity.”

“The idea that a university would withdraw sponsorship of someone just because they are involved in Palestine is deeply disturbing to me,” Mr Corbyn said. Roar News.

British-Palestinian activist Leanne Mohamad, who is running against Wes Streeting in the general election, told The Independent: “I am disgusted that my former university targeted a student solely for his pro-Palestinian activism.

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“KCL is currently taking disciplinary action against 26 students, but Usama is the only one facing three suspensions. I think this sets a very dangerous precedent, not only for us as pro-Palestinian voices, but especially for international students who dare to speak out.”

Mr. Ghanem explained that university activism was important to him because his father, a professor, was imprisoned in Egypt for it. This motivated his ongoing campaign for Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine in the KCL.

Following a series of disciplinary issues, events came to a head in February to protest an event titled “Israelis and Iranians in Dialogue” featuring Iranian speaker Faezeh Alavi. The event was terminated early due to the disruption.

Footage of the protest spread on social media and was shared by senior members of the Trump Administration, among others.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) has written a letter to King’s President Shitij Kapur calling for an investigation into student protesters.

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Independent He saw CAA’s letter He claims that “anti-Semitic and genocidal slogans were chanted”, referring to the separatist slogan “From river to sea, Palestine will be free”. “This intimidation must carry consequences that demonstrate your determination to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated,” the letter says.

As a result, Ghanem received a letter in May informing him that he would be suspended indefinitely from the university and his visa sponsorship would be cancelled.

KCL said it could not comment on individual cases that were “subject to legal proceedings”, citing the judicial review it launched against the university in October.

A university spokesman said: “As we have made clear, students are not subject to disciplinary action for lawful protest or affiliation and it is inaccurate to suggest otherwise.

“As a university, we support and are determined to protect the right to freedom of expression within the framework of the law. We also support and will continue to support the right to protest.

“However, the safety of our students and staff is our priority and where conduct breaches university regulations we will investigate in line with our robust processes and procedures to ensure an inclusive and safe environment on campus is maintained.”

The Independent has contacted the Home Office for comment.