Sisi directs investigation on potential amnesty for activist Alaa Abdel Fattah in Egypt
Imprisoned Activist Alaa Abdel Fattah Remains Behind Bars Despite Calls for Pardon
Alaa Abdel Fattah, a dual Egyptian-British activist who played a significant role in Egypt's 2011 uprising, continues to serve a five-year prison sentence despite calls for his immediate release from the United Nations and the British government.
The court ruling in December 2021 found Abdel Fattah guilty of spreading false news, a verdict that followed his sharing of a Facebook post about alleged torture in Egyptian jails. However, recent investigations have shown no evidence linking him to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
In July, a criminal court ordered his removal from Egypt's terrorism list. This decision, along with the UN's call for his immediate release, has not been heeded by the Egyptian authorities.
Abdel Fattah himself has been on hunger strike since the start of September, following a partial strike that began in March in solidarity with his mother, activist and academic Laila Soueif, who recently ended a 10-month hunger strike demanding his release.
The British government has consistently raised Abdel Fattah's case with Egyptian authorities, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussing the matter with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The UN has also urged the Egyptian government to release Abdel Fattah, stating his detention as arbitrary.
Egyptian President Sisi has directed the relevant authorities to study a petition for a pardon submitted by the National Human Rights Council, with the exact date being August 18, 2021. The pardon process, however, remains at the discretion of the president, and its outcome does not guarantee Abdel Fattah's release.
Despite Egypt issuing presidential pardons for several political prisoners, Abdel Fattah remains behind bars. The council's petition came in response to appeals from the prisoners' families "to grant them a new chance in life".
The petition's consideration comes as the UN Human Rights Council prepares to discuss Egypt's human rights record later this month. The council's session will provide an opportunity for international scrutiny of Abdel Fattah's case and the broader human rights situation in Egypt.
As the case of Alaa Abdel Fattah continues to draw international attention, the question remains whether the Egyptian authorities will heed the calls for his release and grant him a new chance at life.
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