Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Wednesday pardoned more than 330 people, convicted and jailed for their participation in illegal protests.
Many of those due to be released are youths who have demonstrated in recent years, Reuters reports.
Sisi, who was speaking at a youth conference in Cairo, said he ordered that all the procedures be completed so the prisoners can “eat sohour at their homes,” referring to the pre-dawn meal before the daily sunup-to-sundown fast.
In 2013, the country passed a law requiring permission for any public gathering of more than 10 people. The move effectively ended the mass protests that helped unseat two presidents since 2011.
Officials say a total of 332 prisoners will be released, including pro-democracy activists who were convicted for violating a 2013 law.
According to Human Rights groups, over the past four years, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has led a security crackdown that left thousands dead, and tens of thousands more imprisoned.
He is blamed for repressing free speech, undermining civil society, and waging a failing war in the Sinai.
In its annual report, Human Rights Watch said since al-Sisi came to power, the authorities have continued to aggressively enforce a de facto protest ban and routinely dispersed anti-government demonstrations with force.