Egyptian authorities to release new batch of 31 pretrial detainees: Presidential Pardon Committee

CAIRO – 16 January 2023: The Egyptian authorities are finalizing legal measures for the release of a new group of 31 pretrial detainees, Presidential Pardon Committee member Tarek El-Khouly said in a Facebook post on Monday.

“This comes within the framework of the Presidential Pardon Committee’s efforts in coordination with the Public Prosecution and the relevant state authorities,” Khouly stated.

The committee is looking forward for more releases during the coming period, Khouly added.

Since President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi activated the committee, more than 1,000 pretrial detainees have been released and several convicts received presidential pardons.

The Presidential Pardon Committee, formed in 2016 and reactivated by Sisi in April, aims to release young prisoners of conscience and reintegrate them into society.

The committee receives pardon requests via many avenues, including through the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) and the human rights committees of the House of Representatives and Senate.

In addition, the committee receives pardon requests through the National Youth Conference website.