The conference of Italian
university deans (CRUI) on Thursday expressed concern about the
plight of Patrick George Zaky, a Bologna university student and
rights activist who has allegedly been tortured after being
arrested in his homeland Egypt.
The conference said it "registers with concern" the news of
the arrest of Zaky, saying he was a fully fledged "member of the
Italian and European university community".
CRUI said it "strongly expresses the hope that Patrick George
Zaky can soon return to dialogue with his colleagues and
teachers and can complete his studies".
The parents of Giulio Regeni, the Italian Cambridge doctoral
student tortured to death in Cairo four years ago, on Wednesday
urged "democratic governments" to protect Zaky.
"We are following with attention and concern the arrest in
Cairo of the Egyptian student George Zaky," said Paola and
Claudio Regeni, and their lawyer Alessandra Ballerini, in a
statement.
"Patrick, like Giulio, is a brilliant international student
and holds dear people's inviolable rights.
"Democratic governments should preserve and cultivate the
growth of these committed and studious young people of ours and
should protect their safety in all areas".
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