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".



UK FM Calls Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospital 'Deplorable'

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
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UK FM Calls Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospital 'Deplorable'

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo

British foreign minister David Lammy condemned Israel's attacks on medical facilities in Gaza on Sunday after two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a Gaza hospital.

"Israel's attacks on medical facilities have comprehensively degraded access to healthcare in Gaza," Lammy said in a short post on social media, Reuters reported.

"Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we will achieve a lasting peace."