British pro-democracy activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah was released from Wadi Natrun Prison in Egypt after nearly 12 years, following a presidential pardon on September 22, 2025.

His release was influenced by his long-standing hunger strikes and protests, including his mother Laila Soueif's months-long hunger strike, which highlighted ongoing human rights issues.

Abd El-Fattah had served over six years on charges related to sharing a Facebook post about torture in Egyptian prisons and had previously spent more than four years protesting repression.

The pardon comes amid Egypt's upcoming parliamentary elections, with analysts questioning whether this move signals genuine reform or is a tactical response to external pressure.

His release marks a significant development in Egypt's political landscape and human rights situation, possibly indicating shifts in government policy or international influence.

International reactions were swift, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper welcoming the pardon, and leaders from Britain, France, and Germany advocating for his release during the UN climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Human rights groups and international figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, welcomed his release, though some critics see it as a limited step.

Western countries, including the UK, France, Germany, and the US, engaged in private diplomatic efforts with Egypt, driven by strategic and economic interests, to secure his release.

Tensions between Egypt and the UK, including Egypt's refusal to allow British diplomats to visit Abd El-Fattah despite his British citizenship, influenced the diplomatic dynamics.

His family plans to focus on personal matters, with his mother resuming her academic work and Abd El-Fattah considering settling legal affairs in the UK, though his future plans remain uncertain.

Despite his release, concerns persist about thousands of other political prisoners still detained in Egypt, with advocates hoping his case could catalyze broader reforms.

Egyptian authorities announced that his pre-trial detention would not count towards his sentence, making him eligible to travel internationally, though it remains unclear if he will leave Egypt.