Italy reviews relations with Egypt over murdered student

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said that maintaining a certain level of relations with Egypt depends on the cooperation of the judicial authorities in the inquiry into the murder of researcher Giulio Regeni last year. “Italy is currently evaluating all the legal developments relating to the case of Giulio Regeni, especially judicial cooperation from the Egyptian side,” said Alfano on state television.

“In light of all that has happened in the past year concerning the incident, the Italian government’s assessment of the judicial developments will be essential for us to maintain a certain level of relations with Cairo,” he explained.

According to the minister, the relationship with Egypt is on the agenda of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council when it next meets. “We are studying very carefully all the developments regarding this issue from a legal point of view, especially during these days and the first anniversary of Regeni’s death.”

Read: Leaked footage shows last moments of murdered Italian student in Cairo

In April last year, former Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni withdrew Italy’s Ambassador, Maurizio Massari, from Cairo after the first meeting between the Egyptian and Italian investigators failed to achieve any progress. However, the following month, Giampaolo Cantini was appointed as Italy’s new ambassador to Egypt, although he has yet to take up his post in Cairo.

Regeni was a Cambridge University PhD student undertaking research on trade unions in Egypt when he disappeared in Cairo on 25 January 2016. His body was found on 3 February, showing all the signs of torture. The Egyptian security services are alleged to have been involved in his murder.