Italy is working for the release from
detention in Egypt of Egyptian Bologna university graduate
student Patrick Zaki, who has been held since February 7 last
year on charges of inciting protests in the African country, the
Italian foreign ministry said Monday.
The ministry said Zaki is "the only one who is being constantly
monitored by a group of foreign countries thanks to the Italian
initiative".
It added "in the last few days the foreign ministry, via its
embassy in Cairo, has continued to raise awareness in the local
authorities on the case in question, in order to favour the
prompt release of the young student".
The foreign ministry underscored that Monday's hearing on
extending Zaki's preventive custody took place in his presence
and in that of his lawyers.
An Italian embassy functionary was also there within the
framework of the trial monitoring programme coordinated by the
European Union.
The outcome of the hearing, the ministry recalled, is expected
Tuesday.
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