Egypt’s Sisi pardons 82 prisoners, mostly student protesters: MENA

Reuters, Nov 17, 2016 – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned 82 prisoners, mostly university students jailed for protesting, state news agency MENA said on Thursday.
Sisi had promised in October to amend a protest law that human rights groups say has severely restricts protest rights and hinted at possible pardons for young people who had taken part in demonstrations against his rule.
Thursday’s pardons were the first phase of a wider effort, MENA said. Sisi does not have the authority to interfere in Egypt’s judiciary but can issue pardons.
Also released was Islam al-Beheiry, a TV presenter and Islamic researcher serving a one-year sentence on blasphemy charges since December last year after he criticized orthodox preachers.