UAE President pardons Egyptian-Turkish activist Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a presidential pardon for Egyptian-Turkish poet and activist Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi. The decision comes days after an Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced Qaradawi to 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 dirhams ($54,452) for activities deemed to be “stirring and undermining public security.”

Qaradawi’s case drew significant international attention and criticism from United Nations experts and human rights organizations following his extradition from Lebanon to the UAE in early 2025. The extradition followed his arrest in Lebanon after he recorded a video critical of the governments in Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Rights groups had raised concerns regarding his legal status and alleged incommunicado detention.

Following the pardon, Qaradawi’s family released a statement thanking the UAE leadership and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, noting that Turkish authorities had worked extensively to secure his release. The family also expressed gratitude to various governments, media outlets, and rights groups that campaigned for his freedom.