An
American citizen whose case was raised by top US leaders died Monday after more than six years in custody in Egypt, his representatives said, drawing criticism by
Washington of its authoritarian ally.
Moustafa Kassem, a
New York taxi driver originally from
Egypt who was arrested on a home visit in 2013, had been on a liquid-only hunger strike since September 2018 and four days ago ceased drinking fluids.
"His death in custody was needless, tragic and avoidable," said David Schenker, the top US diplomat for the
Middle East, offering his "sincere condolences" to Kassem's family.