Egyptian President Pardons Prominent 2011 Uprising Activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah After Six Years Imprisonment

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi has issued a pardon for Alaa Abdel-Fattah, a prominent Egyptian-British activist and key figure in the 2011 anti-government uprising, ending nearly six years of imprisonment. Abdel-Fattah, who was jailed for charges including spreading false news and protesting without permission, had been subjected to harsh prison conditions and multiple hunger strikes, with his family campaigning internationally for his release. His mother, Laila Soueif, also undertook a prolonged hunger strike to protest his detention. The pardon follows requests from Egypt's National Council for Human Rights and comes amid ongoing concerns over Egypt's treatment of political dissidents and restrictions on demonstrations. Abdel-Fattah's case had drawn international attention, notably during the COP27 climate summit in Egypt, where global leaders mentioned his plight. Despite holding British citizenship, Egypt does not recognize it, complicating diplomatic efforts, but the pardon marks a significant development in his long struggle for freedom.