British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has been freed and reunited with his family after spending the past six years in jail in Egypt. One of the country's most prominent political prisoners, he was pardoned by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi on Monday.
Video of the blogger and pro-democracy activist, 43, at home following his release showed him grinning widely and jumping up and down as he celebrated with his mother Laila Soueif and sister Sanaa Seif.
His other sister, Mona Seif, told the BBC from the UK his release was a moment of collective hope. She expressed hope it would mark the beginning of the release of other political prisoners detained under Sisi's rule and the end of what she called a tvery dark chapter.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the pardon, stating she was grateful to President Sisi for this decision and looked forward to Alaa returning to the UK to be with his family.
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. His mother, who launched a 287-day hunger strike to protest his imprisonment, expressed her overwhelming emotions, stating, I can't even describe what I feel. She added, We're happy, of course. But our greatest joy will come when there are no political prisoners in Egypt.
Mona Seif described her impatience to reunite with Alaa, highlighting that the past years have been filled with suffering but also love. Alaa is out, Alaa is free, Alaa is home, she said.
Abdel Fattah initially rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising in Egypt. His journey has been tumultuous; he has spent most of the time in prison since 2014, infamous for being part of an unprecedented crackdown on dissent under Sisi's rule. His latest charges involved the dissemination of false news regarding the treatment of prisoners.
The NCHR praised the pardon, among others, as a move towards reinforcing justice principles. Abdel Fattah's family remains hopeful for a broader shift that might enable the release of others who have been nobly fighting for freedom and expression.
