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Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah released from jail after five years | Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah released from jail after five years |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A prominent Egyptian activist has been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for organising an illegal protest, his family says. | A prominent Egyptian activist has been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for organising an illegal protest, his family says. |
Alaa Abdel Fattah rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising against former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. | Alaa Abdel Fattah rose to prominence during the 2011 uprising against former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. |
He was arrested in 2013 for campaigning against the generals that ruled the country after Mr Mubarak's resignation. | He was arrested in 2013 for campaigning against the generals that ruled the country after Mr Mubarak's resignation. |
His sisters, Mona and Sanaa Seif, posted messages on Facebook on Friday stating: "Alaa is out." | His sisters, Mona and Sanaa Seif, posted messages on Facebook on Friday stating: "Alaa is out." |
Sharing a picture of Mr Abdel Fattah playing with his sister's dog at home, they thanked everyone who "followed and supported" them during his jail term. | |
The pro-democracy activist's lawyer, Khaled Ali, also shared a post confirming his release, writing: "Thanks God, Alaa Abdel-Fattah at home." | The pro-democracy activist's lawyer, Khaled Ali, also shared a post confirming his release, writing: "Thanks God, Alaa Abdel-Fattah at home." |
A video shared by the "Free Alaa" Facebook page showed Mr Abdel Fattah smiling, hugging and shaking hands with friends after leaving what appears to be a police station in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. | A video shared by the "Free Alaa" Facebook page showed Mr Abdel Fattah smiling, hugging and shaking hands with friends after leaving what appears to be a police station in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. |
As part of his sentence, Mr Abdel Fattah will remain on probation for another five years, the Associated Press reported. | As part of his sentence, Mr Abdel Fattah will remain on probation for another five years, the Associated Press reported. |
His release, which was reported by pro-government and independent media outlets in Egypt, was also celebrated by opposition figures and supporters on social media. | His release, which was reported by pro-government and independent media outlets in Egypt, was also celebrated by opposition figures and supporters on social media. |
Who is Alaa Abdel Fattah? | Who is Alaa Abdel Fattah? |
Mr Abdel Fattah was a leading secular figure in the 2011 revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt for almost 30 years. | Mr Abdel Fattah was a leading secular figure in the 2011 revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt for almost 30 years. |
The blogger and software engineer was once described by authorities as "the icon of the revolution". | The blogger and software engineer was once described by authorities as "the icon of the revolution". |
After the ousting of Mr Mubarak, he was arrested over his demonstration against trials of civilians before military tribunals, known for their swift and harsh rulings. | After the ousting of Mr Mubarak, he was arrested over his demonstration against trials of civilians before military tribunals, known for their swift and harsh rulings. |
Mr Abdel Fattah also opposed Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi and is one of several well-known activists to have been jailed since the army ousted him from power in 2013. | Mr Abdel Fattah also opposed Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi and is one of several well-known activists to have been jailed since the army ousted him from power in 2013. |
The charges against Mr Abdel Fattah included organising an illegal protest and assaulting a policeman. | The charges against Mr Abdel Fattah included organising an illegal protest and assaulting a policeman. |
They stemmed largely from a law prohibiting protests in Egypt without prior government permission, a measure that came after Mr Morsi was overthrown. | They stemmed largely from a law prohibiting protests in Egypt without prior government permission, a measure that came after Mr Morsi was overthrown. |
"I don't deny the charge," he said in a statement at the time. "It's an honour to hold responsibility for people's rallies in defiance of legalizing the return of the rule of Mubarak." | "I don't deny the charge," he said in a statement at the time. "It's an honour to hold responsibility for people's rallies in defiance of legalizing the return of the rule of Mubarak." |
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