Sisi’s decision to release Elelaimy came in response to calls from political forces and the pardon committee. It also comes in line with the President’s call to activate the work of the presidential pardon committee, Egypt’s official news agency MENA reported.

Elelaimy was sentenced last year to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news.

He and others were also charged over the "Hope coalition case", in which they were accused of being part of a group funded by the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

On April 26, Sisi called for reactivating the Presidential Pardon Committee and expanding its work base in cooperation with the relevant agencies and civil society organizations.

Earlier this week, the Committee announced the release of more than 1,000 prisoners since April 26.