Egypt's Political powers welcome release of activist Douma

CAIRO – 19 August 2023:  Egyptian politicians and political activists voiced their happiness in releasing the political activist Ahmed Douma as per a presidential pardon after he stayed for more than 10 years in jail.

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi issued a decree Saturday pardoning some of the received final prison sentences, including activist Ahmed Douma.

Representative Tariq Al-Khouli, a member of the Egyptian Presidential Pardon Committee, announced that President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi used his constitutional powers and issued Decree 348 of 2023 pardoning some of those sentenced to final rulings, including Ahmed Saad Douma.

The Coordination of Youth Parties and Politicians (CPYP) welcomed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's presidential pardon, as a response to the Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue and the political forces’ call to release Doma and other political detainees.

Former Presidential candidate and founder of the Dignity Party and the Popular Current, Hamdeen Sabahi, thanked President Sisi for pardoning Doma.

"This decision, which brought deep and collective happiness for hearts of everyone who knows Ahmed Doma's fate, giving, sincerity, and long patience,” said Sabahi in a post on his Facebook page,

He added that releasing Douma constituted a milestone on the difficult path to closing the file of prisoners and gave a strong hope to make Egypt free of prisoners of conscience.

Lawmaker Dr. Al-Saeed Ghoneim, an economist and first deputy head of the Congress Party, said about the release of a new batch of remand detainees shows that the dignity of the Egyptian citizen is a priority.

He added that the pardon decisions show Egypt’s endeavor to implement the provisions of the national strategy for human rights, Youm7 reported.

As for the Homeland Defenders Party, it said that the Egyptian state's policy of releasing prisoners and activating the role of the Presidential Pardon Committee indicate that there is a political breakthrough and real interaction with the demands of political forces, especially those at the National Dialogue.

In a statement, the Justice Party praised the pardon decision, saying “This is a step that would strengthen bridges of trust and create a more positive atmosphere. We renew our previous demand for the continuation of such releases.”

Head of Dr. Jihan Madih, head of the Misr October Party, said the presidential pardon is a message confirming that Egypt accommodates everyone and has common spaces for all.

In July 2022, member of the Presidential Pardon Committee, Tareq El Awady announced that Egyptian imprisoned activists Alaa Abdel-Fattah, Khaled Lutfi, Ahmed Douma, Ziad Al-Alimi, some broadcasters on the Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera network, youth from the April 6 Movement and the accused in the Hope Cell are on the list of presidentially pardoned inmates.

Douma had been accused of committing acts of violence, assaulting police officers, and setting fire to buildings of the Cabinet, the former People's Assembly and the Shura Council, in addition to the Scientific Academy in December 2011.