The Italian Senate has expressed its firm solidarity with the family of the Italian researcher Giulio Regeni who was found dead in Egypt last month.
During a press conference attended by Regeni’s family on Tuesday, the senate said it is reconsidering bilateral diplomatic ties. It also raised the possibilty of recalling the Italian ambassador to Egypt for consultation in Italy, adding that the gesture would send signals to Cairo of Italy's determination to get to the truth.
The senate said it will demand the Italian Foreign Ministry label Egypt as unsafe, and warn Italians against travel to the country. This, said the senate, will have a great impact on Egypt.
Meanwhile, Paola Deffendi, mother of Regeni, expressed her determination to know the truth behind her son’s death.
During the conference, she said the family still hopes that they will be supported until the truth is unveiled. She indicated several messages she has received from around the world expressing solidarity with them.
The family await April 5, when Egyptian investigators will arrive in Italy to discuss their findings.
"If April 5 turns out to be an empty day we trust in a strong response from our government," an Italian news agency quoted her as saying, "— A very, very strong one. We have been waiting for answers about Giulio since January 25".
She added that her son did not withdraw any cash from his account upon his disappearance, which contradicts the Egyptian line that Regeni was forced to withdraw cash from an ATM.
She said that there are still many question marks surrounding her son's death.
In final comments made by the Regeni family, they echoed the senate's doubts over the safety of Egypt.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
