Egyptian opposition activist and poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi has received a presidential pardon from United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to announcements from state media. The pardon came shortly after the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal’s Cybercrime Division sentenced al-Qaradawi to 10 years in prison and imposed a fine of 200,000 dirhams, equivalent to approximately $55,000.
Al-Qaradawi was detained in Lebanon in December 2024 and subsequently transferred to the UAE in January 2025. He faced accusations of “engaging in activities that aim to stir and undermine public security.” While official confirmation regarding his release has not been provided, the UAE’s state news agency reported that necessary procedures have been initiated to execute the presidential pardon.
The activist is the son of Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent Sunni Muslim religious scholar known for supporting the 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations. The elder al-Qaradawi’s advocacy for regional uprisings generated significant tension with authorities in Egypt and several Gulf nations. Upon the son’s extradition to the UAE, his family expressed concerns that the move placed his life in jeopardy.
International human rights organizations and United Nations experts had advocated for al-Qaradawi’s release prior to the pardon, characterizing his arrest as a violation of freedom of expression protections. These groups contended that the activist had been detained solely for exercising his right to free speech.
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