The family of a Bethpage man who's being held in an Egyptian prison says they worry that a hunger strike he's on could end his life.

Moustafa Kassem, who has both U.S. and Egyptian citizenship, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for allegedly supporting a government that was overthrown in 2013. He was among 800 people swept up during a military crackdown in August 2013.

Kassem is now protesting his imprisonment by refusing to eat. Family members say his health is failing.

Kassem's brother-in-law, Mostafa Ahmed, says the family hopes that U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will help free Kassem by raising the issue with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sis during a visit to Cairo this month.

The family says he was in Egypt at the time of his arrest to see his wife and children and that he had no involvement in the protests.

This past Sept. 11, a reporter questioned then-State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert about Kassem's fate.

"His case has been raised repeatedly with the Egyptian government," she said. "We remain in communication with Mr. Kassem and his attorney about his case."

Ahmed says with Kassem's hunger strike is now in its fourth month.

News 12 did not immediately hear back from the State Department for comment.