President scrutinizes clemency petition for Egypt's most renowned political detainee - Egyptian leader contemplates plea for clemency for key political detainees
In a series of diplomatic discussions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly raised the case of Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah with Egyptian authorities, including President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The activist, known for his role in Egypt's Arab Spring, has been in detention since 2019 and is currently serving a five-year prison sentence.
Alaa Abdel Fattah, a 43-year-old activist and blogger, began a hunger strike in early September, following a partial strike he initiated in March in solidarity with his mother. Leila Sueif, Abdel Fattah's mother, ended a ten-month hunger strike in demand of her son's release.
The Egyptian government has received a pardon request for Abdel Fattah, but the review of the application does not indicate a possible release at this time. Pardon procedures in Egypt can be lengthy, and the final decision rests with the president.
Abdel Fattah is accused of "spreading false information," a common charge against government critics in Egypt. Last year, it was discovered that the two years he spent in pretrial detention were not credited towards his sentence.
The case of Abdel Fattah has drawn attention from politicians, celebrities, and human rights organizations. The United Nations has criticized his detention as arbitrary and called for his immediate release. Various human rights organizations and family campaigns have continuously pressed for his freedom.
The Arab Spring, a revolution that led to the overthrow of long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, saw Abdel Fattah play a key role. His activism and blogging significantly contributed to the movement's momentum.
As of now, the Egyptian government has not yet commented on the pardon request. The identity of the political prisoner in question is Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian-British national. The British government has advocated for his release, with Prime Minister Starmer making a request to President al-Sisi in February 2025.
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