On the eve of Ramadan, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a pardon granting freedom to 332 prisoners, including youths and people with mental health problems on Wednesday. Speaking at a youth conference in Cairo which was broadcasted on state television, the president announced that he had requested that the interior state ministry ensure the pardoned prisoners were released within hours. “We signed off on more than 330 (pardoned),” he said, “and I ask of the interior minister that these youth spend tonight in their home.” On the list of pardoned prisoners are Andrew Nassef Salib, a member of the left-wing Bread and Freedom Party who is serving a sentence of five years for charges inciting terrorism, and Islam Fouad Kasem, a member of the liberal Dostour (Constitution) party, who was jailed for participating in illegal protests. Another member of the Dostour party is also being released, while an anonymous officials have said that Islam Marei, of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, is also on the list. Al-Sisi has issued a number of pardons this year, primarily on national holidays, often releasing young students and protestors. While he has no authority to intervene…
