Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has affirmed that Italy will continue its diplomatic relations with Egypt despite recent convictions in the case of Giulio Regeni, an Italian researcher who was abducted in Egypt. This decision comes in the wake of a Rome court sentencing three Egyptian security officials to 10 years in prison each for their involvement in Regeni’s abduction, while a fourth defendant was acquitted. The case remains open for appeal as the court did not establish responsibility for Regeni’s torture and murder.
Prime Minister Meloni expressed her solidarity with Regeni’s family and reiterated the Italian government’s commitment to uncovering the full truth about the case. She emphasized that maintaining political and diplomatic communications with Egypt allows Italy to keep pressing for answers regarding the circumstances of Regeni’s death.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also supported this stance, highlighting that Italy’s diplomatic efforts with Egyptian authorities are ongoing. He assured that the Italian government remains focused on identifying those truly responsible for Regeni’s murder.
The court’s decision has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers in Italy, who have urged the government to take stronger actions and demand greater accountability from Egypt. They argue that the recent legal proceedings have not sufficiently addressed the broader issues of justice and responsibility in the case.