Alaa Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian journalist and prominent voice for human rights, has been released after six years behind bars on charges of “spreading false news.” His imprisonment stemmed from a Facebook post about torture in Egyptian prisons and, followed previous sentences that kept him incarcerated for more than four years for protesting against repression.
His release comes after years of international campaigns, including a hunger strike that nearly cost the life of his mother, who endured 287 days without food, surviving only on tea, coffee, and rehydration salts, losing 40% of her body weight in a desperate plea for the UK government to act.
“His pardon and release must mark a definitive end to their ordeal and, after so many lost years, he must be allowed to travel freely to the United Kingdom to be reunited with his son Khaled,” said Fiona O’Brien, RSF UK director.
On the night of September 22, Alaa was finally reunited with his mother and sister after receiving a presidential pardon.
At Free Press Alliance, we welcome Alaa Abdel Fattah’s release and stand in solidarity with all those who continue to fight for press freedom in Egypt and beyond.