Three journalists released per presidential pardon

CAIRO – 30 April 2022: Journalists Hany Gresha, Ammer Abdel Moneem, Essam Abdeen were released, Saturday per presidential pardon.

Head of journalists’ syndicate Diaa Raswan, received the journalists upon their release along with their families, who burst into tears while receiving their relatives.

Head of journalist syndicate Diaa Rashwan greeted the released journalists on his Facebook account and thanked Egypt’s attorney general, Prosecution, judiciary after the journalist’s release.

The Presidential Pardon Committee held its first meeting, Saturday with its new formation and prepared a list of detainees for pardoning on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

During its meeting, the committee discussed the mechanisms for receiving pardon requests from the families of prisoners.

This includes through a pardon request form on the National Youth Conference website, a form that will be launched within hours, the committee said.

Families can also submit pardon requests via mail to the human rights committees of the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Requests can also be submitted to the complaints committee of the National Council for Human Rights and to the members of the Presidential Pardon Committee.

The committee added that it will hold a series of meetings with political parties, unions and civil society organizations to discuss their requests of pardon.

On Tuesday, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-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.

Sisi also 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.

A day later, Egyptian authorities announced releasing 3,273 inmates via presidential pardons on the occasion of Sinai Liberation day.

Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine al-Qabaj also stated Wednesday that a list of 700 debtors has been prepared so they would be released from prison by a presidential pardon.

The minister noted that the selection was restricted to those who got loans to pay for essentials, and not just for unnecessary reasons. She added that 250 of those will even regain their freedom before Eid Al Fitr.