Egyptian-British Activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah Released in Stunning Presidential Pardon

Alaa Abd El-Fattah Freed After Years in Prison

Egyptian-British human rights activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah has been released following a presidential pardon by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, marking the end of nearly 12 years of incarceration. The announcement came a day after the pardon included five other prisoners.

Standing outside his family home in Giza, Abd El-Fattah’s mother, Laila Soueif, described her emotions: “I can’t even describe what I feel. We’re happy, of course. But our greatest joy will come when there are no political prisoners in Egypt.”

A Symbol of Egypt’s Struggling Democracy

Considered one of the most prominent political prisoners in Egypt, Abd El-Fattah’s lengthy imprisonment highlighted the country’s shrinking political freedoms. His detentions began before the 2011 Arab Spring and continued through the years of upheaval that followed.

His criticism of government crackdowns after then-army chief el-Sisi rose to power in 2014 led to the longest prison sentences of his life. In 2014, he was sentenced to 15 years for protesting without permission. Though briefly released in 2019, he remained on parole and was re-arrested later that year, receiving another five-year sentence.

Hunger Strikes and International Campaigns

Abd El-Fattah staged multiple hunger strikes during his incarceration, including a notable one in 2022 during Egypt’s hosting of the UN climate summit, where he lost consciousness and was revived. His mother also staged a hunger strike in the UK in September 2024, drawing international attention to his case.

Efforts to secure his release involved international lobbying, including meetings between Soueif and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Abd El-Fattah obtained UK citizenship through his mother in 2021, allowing diplomatic channels to be pursued more effectively.

Emotional Reunions and Social Media Reactions

Following his release, friends and family shared photos of Abd El-Fattah embracing his mother and other relatives. His sister, Mona Seif, posted on social media: “The world is full of nightmares, injustice, violence, and many things that break the heart... but we can take a breath and give happiness a chance to fill our hearts... and keep going.”

The outpouring of relief and joy reflects not only a personal victory but also the enduring hope for human rights and justice in Egypt.

International Praise

The UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the pardon: “I strongly welcome the news that Alaa Abd El-Fattah has received a Presidential pardon. We look forward to Alaa being able to return to the UK, to be reunited with his family.”

Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights, a state-funded body, also praised the release, describing it as a signal of the country’s focus on swift justice.