Egyptian authorities have released British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who had been imprisoned for six years. Abdel Fattah, a prominent figure in the country’s pro-democracy movement, was pardoned by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The 43-year-old blogger was seen celebrating his freedom with his mother, Laila Soueif, and sister, Sanaa Seif, at their home in Giza, with video showing him visibly overjoyed.
Mona Seif, another sister, expressed her hope that Abdel Fattah’s release signifies a turning point, potentially leading to the freedom of other political prisoners in Egypt and marking the end of a difficult period for the country. She stated her eagerness to be reunited with her brother, describing his release as a moment of immense happiness after years of struggle.
Abdel Fattah first gained prominence during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Since 2014, he has spent most of his time incarcerated. He was previously sentenced in 2015 for participating in an unauthorized protest and was arrested again in 2019 after his release on probation, facing charges of spreading false news for a social media post about a prisoner’s death. Human rights organizations have criticized the fairness of his trials and detention conditions.
Despite acquiring British citizenship in 2021, consular visits by British officials were not permitted. A UN panel on arbitrary detention concluded that Abdel Fattah’s arrest was politically motivated and that his right to a fair trial had been violated. The Egyptian government had stated his sentence was set to conclude in January 2027.
However, President Sisi recently ordered a review of a petition for Abdel Fattah’s release, prompted by his family’s humanitarian and health conditions, particularly his mother’s extensive hunger strike. Mona Seif credited the global solidarity, pressure from the UK government, and her mother’s determined hunger strike for contributing to the presidential pardon. She also expressed her deep longing for her brother to be reunited with his son, Khaled, who resides in Brighton, emphasizing the missed childhood moments they can now strive to recover.
The activist’s release is seen by many as a symbol of hope, not only for his family but also for the thousands of other individuals imprisoned in Egypt. Human rights lawyers and organizations have welcomed the pardon, expressing optimism that it may lead to broader amnesties and a more just system for those facing charges related to freedom of expression.