Prominent British-Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah is set to walk free after Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi issued a pardon covering the remainder of his six-year prison sentence, state media reported on Monday.

Abd el-Fattah, a leading figure of Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising, had been imprisoned since 2019 on charges of spreading false news and harming national security after he shared a Facebook post about the death of a prisoner. A UN panel later deemed his detention arbitrary.

The release follows sustained diplomatic pressure from the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally called Sisi three times to press for Abd el-Fattah’s release, while national security adviser Jonathan Powell and former foreign secretary David Lammy also lobbied Egyptian officials. British-Egyptian relations have recently warmed, with cooperation on Middle East policy—including the conflict in Palestine—believed to have played a role in the decision.

Abd el-Fattah’s mother, 69-year-old mathematician and activist Laila Soueif, drew international attention with hunger strikes and vigils outside Downing Street. She was twice hospitalized in London during her protests. His sisters, Mona and Sanaa, led the “Free Alaa” campaign, maintaining a low profile in recent months to avoid jeopardizing delicate negotiations.

“My heart will explode,” Mona wrote in Arabic on social media after news of the pardon broke. Family members said they learned of his release through the media and were driving to the Cairo prison where Abd el-Fattah is held. Supporters have also begun gathering outside.

The pardon was announced by al-Qahera News, a broadcaster linked to Egypt’s intelligence service, which said Sisi had pardoned “a number of convicted persons” after “constitutional and legal procedures,” naming Abd el-Fattah among them. Reports indicate he may not be freed until Tuesday following an exit interview. He is expected to seek travel to the UK once released.

Emily Thornberry, chair of the UK parliament’s foreign affairs committee, welcomed the news, calling the family’s campaign “incredibly moving.” Amnesty International said Abd el-Fattah “should never have endured this nightmare,” urging London to ensure his safe passage to Britain.

Abd el-Fattah spent more than a decade oscillating between prison and activism. His case has become emblematic of Egypt’s harsh crackdown on dissent since Sisi took power in 2013.