Veteran journalist says submitted request for presidential pardon of 33 including Eleimy, Baqer, Doma

CAIRO – 27 April 2022: Veteran Journalist Khaled Dawoud said he has submitted a list that includes 25 pretrial detainees and eight convicts asking President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to grant them a presidential pardon.

The list includes renowned Journalists Hossam Mones and Hisham Fouad, Lawyer Mohamed Baqer, and activists Mohamed Oxygen and Ahmed Douma, Dawoud said in press remarks.

Dawoud said he spoke briefly with President Sisi about the desired release of prisoners of conscience and some of those convicted in cases other than violence or terrorism.

The veteran journalist welcomed initiatives by the state authorities to address the political scene and their openness for opposition’s freedom of expression within the framework of the law and the constitution.

This comes shortly after Dawoud was seen chatting briefly with the president during the annual Iftar ceremony, “the Egyptian Family Iftar,” on Tuesday.

Dawoud, a former pretrial detainee, was released in April 2021 pending investigation around two years after he was arrested over accusations of aiding a terrorist group in reaching its goals and spreading fake news.

Dawoud is the former head of the center left Dostour Party.

During the Iftar ceremony, Sisi directed the National Youth Conference management, in coordination with all political parties and youth currents, to conduct a political dialogue on the priorities of national actions during the current stage.

Sisi reactivated the Presidential Pardon Committee which was formed as one of the outcomes of the National Youth conference, as it will expand its cooperation with the competent agencies and civil society.

During his speech, Sisi expressed his happiness at the release of new batches of Egyptians during the past days, and stressed that the country accommodates everyone.