Egyptian authorities have announced the presidential pardon of prominent activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has been in prison for almost all of the past 12 years.

A statement from the president's office said that another five prisoners were also pardoned. It wasn't immediately clear when they will walk free.

The activist's lawyer, Khaled Ali, said that Abd el-Fattah is expected to be released from Wadi Natron Prison, just north of Cairo, immediately after the state's decision is published in the country's official gazette, which he expects is likely within the next two days.

Laila Soueif, Abdel-Fattah's mother, said that she was heading to the prison where her son is held.

"I won't rest until he is out," she said.

Abd el-Fattah was a leading voice in the country's 2011 Arab Spring upri

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