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Egypt Presidential Pardon Committee Paves Way for Release of 1,000 Detainees

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman)
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Egypt Presidential Pardon Committee Paves Way for Release of 1,000 Detainees

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian Presidency Spokesman)

Members of Egypt's Presidential Pardon Committee are looking into the cases of over 1,000 detainees ahead of their release.

The committee was set up to address various cases, including those of political and rights activists and journalists.

Last month, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed his desire to hold political dialogue to discuss the “priorities of national work at this current time.”

Committee member Tariq Al-Awadi said in televised statements on Monday that the panel is examining the files of 1,074 detainees ahead of an order for their release.

The detainees include people who have been sentenced and others who are held in custody and who meet certain conditions set by the committee.

Since its formation, the committee had called on parties, syndicates, rights groups, and individuals to provide it with requests and documents of the cases they are hoping would be included in a pardon.

Member Karim El-Sakka said one of the main tasks of the committee is to handle political detainees. It does not handle cases tied to "acts of violence".

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Yemen Gov’t: Houthi Terrorist Designation a Step Toward Peace

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Head Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi meets US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin on January 15 (US Embassy)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Head Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi meets US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin on January 15 (US Embassy)
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Yemen Gov’t: Houthi Terrorist Designation a Step Toward Peace

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Head Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi meets US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin on January 15 (US Embassy)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Head Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi meets US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin on January 15 (US Embassy)

The Yemeni government has welcomed the US decision to label the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, calling it a recognition of the threat the Iran-backed group poses to Yemen and global security.

Rashad Al-Alimi, the head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), said the move is “a step toward peace and stability in Yemen and the region.

Al-Alimi thanked US President Donald Trump for the “historic decision” and his efforts to end wars and curb terrorist groups.

He emphasized the need for a global approach to support the Yemeni government and fully implement international resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216.

“Tolerating the enemies of peace means allowing these brutal militias to continue their terrorist actions,” he said.

On Wednesday, Trump issued an executive order placing the Houthi group on the US list of foreign terrorist organizations.

A senior Yemeni official told Asharq Al-Awsat that it’s too early to assess the political and economic impact of the designation on negotiations with the Houthis.

US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, called the designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization a crucial step in neutralizing their threat.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Fagin said the US would work with regional partners to dismantle Houthi operations and end their attacks on US citizens, partners, and shipping in the Red Sea.

The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the US decision, noting it aligns with Yemen's long-standing call to label the Houthis a terrorist group due to their crimes and violations against the Yemeni people and the threat they pose to regional security.

In a statement Thursday, the Yemeni government urged the international community to take similar actions and praised its “strategic partnership” with the US in supporting Yemen.

The Ministry expressed hope that the designation would help intensify international efforts to bring peace, stability, and end Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

The White House executive order stated that the Houthis’ activities “threaten US citizens, military personnel, and regional security,” and emphasized the US policy of working with regional partners to eliminate Houthi capabilities and end their attacks on US interests.