UAE President pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday pardoned Egyptian poet and activist Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.

He was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on August 27 for engaging in activities that aim to stir and undermine national security. He was handed a 10-year jail term and a fine of AED200,000.

All necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon, national news agency WAM added.

It was on January 10, 2025, that the UAE took Al-Qaradawi into custody after being extradited from Lebanon following a formal request submitted by the Central Authority in the UAE, represented by the Ministry of Justice.