Tue Sep 23 04:11:31 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a prominent Egyptian-British human rights activist and political prisoner, has been released from prison after being pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Abd El-Fattah had spent most of the past 12 years in prison due to his criticism of the Egyptian government’s crackdowns on political dissidents. His imprisonment and hunger strikes had drawn international attention and calls for his release. His family, including his mother Laila Soueif, who had campaigned extensively for his freedom, celebrated his release. The UK government also welcomed the news, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressing gratitude to President Sisi and looking forward to Abd El-Fattah’s return to the UK.

**News Article:**

**Egyptian Activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah Freed After Presidential Pardon**

**Giza, Egypt** – Prominent Egyptian-British human rights activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah was released from prison Tuesday, a day after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi granted him a pardon. Abd El-Fattah, considered one of Egypt’s highest-profile political prisoners, had been incarcerated for most of the past 12 years due to his criticism of the government.

His release was met with jubilation by family and friends. “I can’t even describe what I feel,” said his mother, Laila Soueif. “We’re happy, of course. But our greatest joy will come when there are no [political] prisoners in Egypt.”

Abd El-Fattah’s imprisonment had drawn international condemnation and prompted numerous appeals for his release, particularly due to his repeated hunger strikes. He gained prominence during the Arab Spring uprising and was later targeted for his criticism of government crackdowns following el-Sisi’s rise to power.

The UK government has also welcomed the news. “I strongly welcome the news that Alaa Abd El-Fattah has received a Presidential pardon,” said United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. “I’m grateful to President Sisi for this decision. We look forward to Alaa being able to return to the UK, to be reunited with his family.”

Abd El-Fattah obtained UK citizenship through his mother in 2021. His mother, Laila Soueif, has been a tireless advocate for her son, including staging a lengthy hunger strike in the UK to raise awareness of his case.

His release comes as a potential sign of easing tensions within Egypt, where freedoms have been curtailed since 2014.

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