UAE President pardons activist Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a presidential pardon on Friday, September 4, 2026, for Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al Qaradawi. The decision follows a ruling by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal’s Cybercrime Division on August 27, which had sentenced Al Qaradawi to 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 dirhams (approximately $54,000–$55,000).

Al Qaradawi, the son of the late influential Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, was arrested in Lebanon in late December 2024 and extradited to the UAE in January 2025. His legal troubles stemmed from a video recorded in Damascus in which he criticized authorities in several Arab nations, including Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The charges involved activities aimed at undermining public security and spreading false news.

The extradition and subsequent detention of Al Qaradawi drew significant criticism from human rights organizations and UN experts, who expressed concerns regarding legal guarantees and the potential for mistreatment. While the official announcement stated that necessary procedures for the pardon have been taken, it did not specify if the fine is waived or provide details regarding his immediate release or future destination.