Free at last. Patrick Zaki was released today, 20 July 2023, from the Mansoura prison where he was held after receiving a presidential pardon from Al-Sisi. As soon as he was released, he immediately hugged his mother Hala, his girlfriend Reny Alexander, his sister Marise, and his father George. “I am now free – he declared to reporters present at the scene – I intend to return to Italy as soon as possible, let’s hope soon”. “I was depressed when I heard the news of the three-year sentence, luckily it turned out differently and I’m finally free.”
Zeki was released after the presidential pardon. First images from outside the New Mansoura Police Department in Egypt #HOLDING pic.twitter.com/PV7dRexn6X
— ANSA Agency (@Agenzia_Ansa) 20 July 2023
“I’m thinking of returning to Bologna to stay with my colleagues at the university,” Zaki said again. “Thanks to Bologna, to the University, to the rector, to everyone there, to my people in Bologna. I am part of the Bologna community, I definitely belong to them.” “I’m really happy with what they’ve done for me over the years. They’ve shown a real commitment to my cause and now I’m free.”
The girlfriend of student Reny Alexander posted photos of her release on Facebook. Once in Italy, the duo will get married as always, as announced by her fiancé in a Facebook letter on the day the court announces the three-year sentence.
“Excellent news. Now we hope that he will soon be able to enjoy freedom of travel and that will obviously include the freedom to travel from Egypt but also the freedom to return whenever he wants”. Instead, commentary by Riccardo Noury, Amnesty International spokesperson for Italy.
After the presidential pardon was announced, Giorgia Meloni claimed that the young researcher was immediately released through a video she posted on Twitter. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also commented on the amnesty received from Al-Sisi, underlining the decisive role of the government, but also stating that “There is no trade-off for Zeki with the Regeni case”. “With regard to the murdered PhD student, we will continue to ask for clarification, as we always do, we brought the two issues to the same level,” he said.
We are waiting for you in Italy, #PatrickZaki pic.twitter.com/SDCV2V1ZOF
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) 19 July 2023
Continue reading at Today.it
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
