Italy urges Egypt to resolve missing student mystery
Giulio Regeni , who hails from Fiumicello near Udine in Italy's north-east, was in Egypt to study
Italy has urged Egypt to track down an Italian student who “mysteriously disappeared” in Cairo this month, the foreign ministry said Sunday in a statement.
The ministry is “following with the utmost attention and concern the affair of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Italian student who mysteriously disappeared on the evening of January 25 in the centre of the capital,” it said.
Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Sunday called his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry to “determinedly ask for the greatest commitment to tracing the compatriot and providing every possibly information about his circumstance”.
Regeni hails from Fiumicello, near Udine in Italy's north-east, according to Italian media reports, which said he was in Egypt to study. His family flew out to Cairo on Wednesday.
The ministry said it was in direct contact with both the Egyptian authorities and Regeni's family, but did not provide any further details about what it believed might have h vappened to the young man.
January 25 was the fifth anniversary of protests that ended former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule and Italian media reports said there was a tough security crackdown in the run-up, amid fears among the authorities of fresh mass demonstrations.
Experts say discontent has been rising since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted the Muslim Brotherhood from power, largely due to the country's gloomy economic outlook.
-
Italy vows to help Egypt fight ‘terrorism’
Gentiloni called the consulate bombing a symbolic attack on Egyptian-Italian relations, “especially in counter-terrorism” Middle East -
Italy suspends consular services in Egypt
Italy's Embassy in Egypt said it is suspending all consular services in Cairo, a day after its consulate was hit by a car bomb Middle East -
Egypt teacher suspended for cutting non-veiled student’s hair
The incident took place on Thursday when the teacher cut a girl called Nora’s hair Variety -
Egypt to free 100 students ahead of 2011 revolt anniversary
The students, who have not been formally charged, will be set free out of 'concern for their academic future' Middle East