Egypt pardons Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah

CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a presidential pardon for Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, one of six prisoners granted clemency under a decree announced Monday, state media reported.

The 43-year-old activist, who had been serving a five-year sentence on charges of spreading “false news,” will be released after spending much of the past decade in and out of prison. His most recent detention began in 2019, with sentencing in 2021.

Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights said it had recently petitioned for clemency in multiple cases, citing appeals from families. The council described the pardons as “vital moral support” that would help restore stability to relatives of detainees.

Abdel-Fattah rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time president Hosni Mubarak. He became a symbol of Egypt’s pro-democracy movement, though his activism also brought repeated clashes with authorities.

While serving his latest sentence, Abdel-Fattah obtained British citizenship, prompting repeated calls from London and international rights groups for his release. His case had become a point of contention in Egypt’s diplomatic ties with the UK.