UAE president pardons Egyptian dissident-poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi after 10-year sentence
The United Arab Emirates has pardoned Egyptian opposition activist and poet Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, days after an Abu Dhabi court sentenced him to 10 years in prison. State media said President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued the pardon and that procedures are now under way to implement it. It was not immediately clear whether al-Qaradawi has been released.
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According to the reported court ruling, al-Qaradawi was sentenced on August 27 by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal's Cybercrime Division and fined 200,000 dirhams, or about $55,000. The case followed his arrest in Lebanon in December 2024 and extradition to the UAE in January 2025. He had faced accusations of engaging in activities aimed at stirring unrest and undermining public security.
The pardon marks a rapid change in his legal position after a sentence that had drawn international attention. Rights groups and UN experts had called for his release, saying he was being punished for exercising free speech. His family had also warned in January 2025 that extraditing him could endanger his life.
Al-Qaradawi is the son of Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent Sunni Muslim scholar who supported the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings and was a figure of concern for leaders in Egypt and some Gulf states. That family background has long made Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi a politically sensitive figure in the region. His case has therefore been watched not only as a criminal matter, but also as part of wider disputes over dissent, speech and state security.
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The reported arrest warrant was issued through the Arab Interior Ministers Council, adding a regional dimension to the case. The UAE's cybercrime court handling also reflects how authorities have increasingly used digital-security and public-order laws in cases involving political speech. For critics, the pardon may ease immediate pressure, but it does not resolve the broader concerns raised by the prosecution itself.
What remains unclear is the exact timing of any release and whether the pardon will affect the fine or other legal consequences. It is also not known whether al-Qaradawi will be allowed to leave the country or face any further restrictions. The next development to watch is the formal completion of the pardon process and any statement from his family or legal representatives.
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