British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has been freed and reunited with his family after almost six years of imprisonment in Egypt. One of the country's most prominent political prisoners, he was pardoned by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi on Monday, reportedly after a request from the National Council for Human Rights.
Video of the blogger and pro-democracy activist, 43, at home after his release shows him grinning widely and jumping up and down as he celebrates with his sister and mother. Laila Soueif, who went on extensive hunger strike during her son's imprisonment, said on his release: Despite our great joy, the biggest joy is when there are no [political] prisoners.
Abdel Fattah was released from Wadi al-Natrun prison late on Monday and celebrated reuniting with his family at his mother's apartment in Giza. I cannot yet comprehend that this is real, his sister Sanaa Seif said.
The activist was arrested in 2019 during a crackdown on dissent and sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of spreading false news for sharing a post about a prisoner dying of torture. Two weeks ago, Sisi ordered the authorities to study the NCHR's petitions for the release of Abdel Fattah and six others.
His family had anticipated his release earlier but faced challenges due to pre-trial detention not being counted as time served. Laila Soueif's extensive hunger strike, which led to hospitalization, underscored the family's struggle for his freedom.
The activist first rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising in Egypt that led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and has faced ongoing repression since then. Although he obtained British citizenship in 2021, he has not benefited from consular support from the UK, raising concerns about his future.
As the world watches, Abdel Fattah's story remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and human rights in Egypt.
