World News
UAE pardons Egyptian activist and poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi
The decision follows a recent 10-year cybercrime prison sentence and fine.
The short version
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has pardoned Egyptian opposition activist and poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, according to state media.[Al Jazeera]
- Al-Qaradawi had been extradited from Lebanon in January 2025 and was recently sentenced by an Abu Dhabi court to 10 years in prison and fined $55,000.[Al Jazeera]
- Human rights groups and UN experts had argued that he was detained solely for exercising his free speech rights.[Al Jazeera]
- State media reported that procedures to execute the pardon are underway, though his physical release has not yet been confirmed.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon for Egyptian opposition activist Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi.[Al Jazeera]
- Al-Qaradawi was sentenced on August 27 by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal's Cybercrime Division to 10 years in prison and a 200,000 dirham fine.[Al Jazeera]
- He was originally arrested in Lebanon in December 2024 and extradited to the UAE in January 2025 on public security charges.[Al Jazeera]
- Rights organizations and UN experts had demanded his release, maintaining that his detention was solely based on free speech.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unconfirmed whether al-Qaradawi has officially been released from custody following the pardon announcement.[Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.