Italy investigates five Egyptian policemen in slain PhD researcher’s case

Italian prosecutors have initiated a formal investigation into five Egyptian security men believed to be involved in the disappearance and murder of Italian PhD researcher, Giulio Regeni in Cairo two years ago, a judicial source said.

The Italian authorities did not announce the names or positions of the Egyptian security officials.

Earlier, the Italian authorities announced that they will investigate seven Egyptian security officials in the same case.

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A few days ago, an Egyptian judicial source revealed that the Egyptian prosecutors had rejected Italy’s request treat several Egyptian policemen as “suspects” in the same case.

Italy’s foreign minister summoned the Egyptian ambassador on Friday and urged Cairo to respect its commitment to move quickly and bring to justice those responsible for Regeni murder.

Regeni, 28 disappeared in January 2016, before his body was found in early February 2016 on a road north of Cairo bearing signs of torture.