Regeni’s Mother Testifies to Brutality in Rome Trial of Egyptian Officers

Rome: The mother of Giulio Regeni testified at a Rome trial in absentia of four Egyptian security officials accused of torturing her son to death in early 2016, stating that she saw signs of brutality and torture on his body. Paola Deffendi recounted to the court the moment she had to identify Giulio’s body, noting the visible brutality on his face. She described how she was prevented from seeing his entire body, being told by a nun that her son was a martyr, which led her to understand he had been tortured.

According to Ansa News Agency, Regeni, a 28-year-old Cambridge University doctoral researcher, was investigated for his politically sensitive work on Cairo street unions. He was allegedly abducted and tortured by National Security General Tariq Sabir and his subordinates, Colonels Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Helmi, and Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif. The accused officials are not attending the trial due to Egypt’s refusal to notify them of the proceedings.

Italian autopsy results revealed severe signs of torture on Regeni’s body, including contusions, abrasions, extensive bruising, multiple bone fractures, stab wounds, cuts, cigarette burns, and a brain hemorrhage. The autopsy determined that a broken cervical vertebra ultimately caused his death. Despite these findings, Egypt has cleared the four officers accused in the case.

Regeni’s body was discovered on February 3, 2016, in a ditch on the Cairo-Alexandria highway, a week after his disappearance. Egypt has provided various explanations for his death, including a car accident and a gay lovers’ quarrel, but none have been substantiated. The lack of cooperation from Egypt led Italy to temporarily withdraw its ambassador from Cairo.

Regeni’s parents have criticized Italian governments for continuing cooperation with Egypt on various deals despite the unresolved case. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has pledged to assist Italy in uncovering the truth about the murder. In protest, Italian journalist Corrado Augias returned his Legion d’Honneur to France after Paris awarded the same honor to Sisi.