Islamist prisoners pardoned by Morsi

Egypt’s president, Mohammed Morsi, has freed Islamists jailed for militancy during Hosni Mubarak’s era, a step seen as a gesture to hardliners who supported his presidential bid.

A lawyer for 17 Islamists, many held since the 1990s, said they were pardoned by Mr Morsi. At least three had been condemned to death, said lawyer Ibrahim Ali.