Sisi studies presidential pardon for activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and several prisoners

The Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Sisi today, Tuesday, directed to study a request submitted by the National Council for Human Rights calling for a presidential pardon for several prisoners, in a move that may include the release of the prominent activistAlaa Abdel Fattah.

The National Council for Human Rights had submitted an official appeal to President Sisi yesterday, Monday, requesting a pardon for seven convicted individuals in various cases, based on humanitarian and health reasons, and following appeals made by their families, confirming the urgent need for their loved ones to be with them in these circumstances.

In a statement issued by it, the council confirmed that the practice of presidential pardon falls within the constitutional powers of the President of the Republic, explaining that this procedure embodies the humanitarian dimension of the state and reflects the political leadership's concern for the cohesion of the Egyptian family and its right to reunification.

The name of political activist Alaa Abdel Fattah topped the list, along with:

• Said Magli Al-Daw Aliwa

• Karam Abdel Samie Ismail Al-Saadani

• Walaa Jamal Saad Mohamed

• Mohamed Awad Abdo Mohamed

• Mohamed Abdel Khalek Abdel Aziz Abdel Latif

• Mansour Abdel Jabbar Ali Abdel Razek

Alaa was released in 2019 after spending five years in prison for participating in the Shura Council protests.

However, he was later returned to prison after a state security misdemeanors court issued a new ruling against him, sentencing him to 5 years in prison for spreading false news.

This step, if implemented, raises wide questions about the future of presidential pardon policy in Egypt and the possibilities that the upcoming phase may witness a greater human rights breakthrough, including the release of several political detainees and activists.