Lucrezia Ciotti The Giulio Regeni case returns to the center of political debate following the ruling by the Rome Court of Assizes. The convictions of three Egyptian intelligence officers for the researcher's kidnapping have reignited the conflict between the government and the opposition, while Giorgia Meloni defends her decision to keep diplomatic channels open with Cairo, and Antonio Tajani responds to criticism.
Tajani responds to criticism: "I simply photographed the ruling."
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also found himself at the center of the controversy after stating that " there was a conviction, Egypt was not convicted, three people were convicted ." The Deputy Prime Minister rejected the accusations and said he was "surprised" by the reactions, explaining: " I simply took a photograph of the conviction ."
According to Tajani, the verdict is " limited, because it doesn't tell us who Regeni's murderers are ," but this doesn't mean giving up on the search for the truth: " We want full light to be shed. We've never given up, and we're not covering anything up ." The minister also emphasized the value of diplomatic work, arguing that " diplomatic action is worth more than clamor ."
Tajani's remarks provoked a harsh reaction from the opposition, which is demanding the minister report to Parliament. Elly Schlein argued that Tajani had failed to understand the significance of the sentence, pointing out that three members of the Egyptian security apparatus have been convicted for Regeni's kidnapping. From the Five Star Movement, Senate group leader Luca Pirondini demanded clarification on the government's plans to take action against Cairo, while Nicola Fratoianni called for the minister's resignation, and Riccardo Magi contested his statements.
Giulio Regeni's death: Meloni on relations with Egypt: "Closing canals won't help."
The legal dispute over Giulio Regeni 's death has reignited the political conflict between the government and the opposition. Speaking from Prague, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended the government's stance in its relations with Cairo, emphasizing that the goal remains to uncover the truth without severing diplomatic relations with Egypt. " Giulio Regeni's family's request, which is also ours, is for truth and justice, " the prime minister declared, noting that the Italian state is a civil party in the proceedings. Meloni then explained that the government has used "all channels," including " political and diplomatic ones with Cairo ": " I somewhat doubt that by closing those channels we will get closer to our objectives rather than further away ." The sentence handed down by the Rome Court of Assizes on September 28 resulted in three Egyptian intelligence agents being sentenced to 10 years in prison for Regeni's kidnapping , while the fourth defendant was acquitted; the murder charge was dropped.
The Prime Minister also clarified that the verdict is not yet final and that any action will have to be taken " in the manner and time necessary ." For this reason, the issue of the defendants' possible extradition is currently being postponed until further proceedings are completed. The government's position, therefore, remains to separate the judicial process from the management of international relations with Cairo, considered strategic for several issues involving Italy in the Mediterranean. The Italian trial was held in the absence of the defendants, as Egypt did not cooperate in the extradition of the officials involved.