Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a well-known Egyptian British activist, was freed by authorities on Tuesday following a presidential pardon issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for him and five other inmates. The 43-year-old activist has been a prominent figure in Egypt’s political landscape, enduring periods of detention due to his activism, making him a rare voice of dissent in the country’s current climate. His release comes as a relief to his family, with his mother, Laila Soueif, expressing happiness while emphasizing the ultimate goal of having no political prisoners in Egypt.
Abd el-Fattah’s release was eagerly awaited by his family, who had been waiting outside Wadi al-Natroun prison on Monday in hopes of his liberation. Despite numerous calls for his freedom, it was only when President Sisi directed authorities in September to consider a potential pardon that hopes were raised for his release. Abd el-Fattah had previously been removed from Egypt’s list of “terrorism” suspects.
The news of Abd el-Fattah’s release was met with positive reactions, including from the UK, where he holds citizenship through his mother. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper expressed gratitude towards President Sisi for the decision and anticipated Abd el-Fattah’s return to the UK to reunite with his family. Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights also supported the pardon, noting its significance in promoting expeditious justice.
Abd el-Fattah’s activism dates back to before the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, and his criticism of government crackdowns following the rise of President Sisi led to his prolonged incarcerations. Over the years, he faced various charges, including protesting without permission and spreading fake news, resulting in multiple prison sentences. His mother, Laila Soueif, played a vital role in advocating for his release, even staging a hunger strike in the UK to draw attention to his case.
Despite the challenges faced, Abd el-Fattah’s resilience and commitment to his beliefs have been evident through his activism, including hunger strikes conducted both in and out of detention. His release marks a significant moment for human rights advocacy in Egypt and has been welcomed by supporters both locally and internationally.