Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

(CNN) — Prominent Egyptian activist and government critic Alaa Abd El-Fattah has been released from prison, and on Tuesday was reunited with his family after he was pardoned by the country’s president.

His sister Mona confirmed the release of Abd El-Fattah, a 42-year-old dual Egyptian-British citizen, on X early Tuesday, posting a picture of the activist beaming as he was reunited with family members.

“An exceptionally kind day. Alaa is free,” she wrote.

A Reuters video capturing the reunion showed Abd El-Fattah burst into a dance before he turned around to hug his mother.

Abd El-Fattah had remained in prison despite completing his sentence last year, according to his family, which had been appealing to UK Prime Minister Keir Starme

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