The Egyptian flag. (Credit : AFP)
Egypt on Monday released jailed security expert Ismail Alexandrani after his 10-year sentence was commuted in October, according to lawyer Khaled Ali.
"Ismail Alexandrani has been released, he is now free," Ali, a prominent rights advocate and former presidential candidate, wrote on social media.
An expert on jihadist movements in Egypt's restive Sinai peninsula, Alexandrani was accused of publishing military secrets and belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and his incarceration since 2015 became a symbol of the repression of academics.
In October, his sentence was commuted to seven years.
Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, draws regular criticism over its rights record. Despite recent presidential pardons and the release of several high-profile dissidents, the moves have been met with skepticism.
A total of 766 political prisoners have been released since April this year, though close to double that number have been arrested over the same period, according to data compiled by Amnesty International.
Rights groups estimate the country holds some 60,000 political prisoners.
"Ismail Alexandrani has been released, he is now free," Ali, a prominent rights advocate and former presidential candidate, wrote on social media.
An expert on jihadist movements in Egypt's restive Sinai peninsula, Alexandrani was accused of publishing military secrets and belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and his incarceration since 2015 became a symbol of the repression of academics.
In October, his sentence was commuted to seven years.
Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, draws regular criticism over its rights...
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