Egypt ‘s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday pardoned prominent Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah and five others, ending a prolonged imprisonment marked by hunger strikes and international appeals for his release, his lawyer confirmed.

Abd el-Fattah, 43, has become Egypt’s most prominent political prisoner after spending much of his adult life in and out of detention due to his activism, and is a rare symbol of opposition to a far-reaching crackdown under Sisi.

Despite campaigns calling for his release, notably during the COP27 climate summit that Egypt hosted in 2022, hopes for his release were only raised when Sisi ordered authorities in September to study his possible pardon. Abd el-Fattah’s name had been removed from Egypt’s “ terrorism ” list months earlier.

Rel

See Full Page