Italy will continue its diplomatic relationship with Egypt despite calls to sever ties following the conviction of Egyptian security officials involved in the abduction of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized that maintaining dialogue with Egypt could facilitate ongoing efforts to uncover the truth about Regeni’s case.
A Rome court recently convicted three Egyptian officials, sentencing each to 10 years in prison for their roles in Regeni’s abduction, while a fourth defendant was acquitted. The court’s decision did not assign responsibility for Regeni’s torture and murder, and the ruling is open to appeal. Meloni reiterated her support for Regeni’s family and the government’s commitment to achieving full transparency in the case.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani backed the government’s stance, noting that diplomatic efforts with Egypt have persisted. He assured that Italy remains focused on determining who was responsible for Regeni’s death. The court’s verdict has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers, who demand more decisive government action and increased accountability from Egyptian authorities.
The Italian government’s approach has been to balance the need for justice in the Regeni case with the necessity of maintaining diplomatic channels. This strategy, according to Meloni, allows Italy to continue pressing Egypt for answers, despite the challenges and criticisms faced domestically.