Two Egyptian human rights campaigners released from prison following pardons

Patrick George Zaki, a prominent Egyptian rights activist with ties to Italy, outside the Dakahlia security headquarters in Mansoura, Egypt, after he was pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi along with five other people (Marise George via AP/PA)

Egypt released two human rights defenders on Thursday their lawyers said, concluding two cases that have drawn significant international criticism and attention.

The releases of Patrick George Zaki, an activist and postgraduate student in Italy, and Mohamed el-Baker, a human rights lawyer, came a day after they were pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi along with four other people. Confirmation of the pardons was published in Egypt’s Official Gazette.