Murdered student’s parents dismayed by Egypt trade deal

THE parents of a Cambridge University graduate believed to have been murdered by the Egyptian secret police say they feel betrayed by the Italian government’s plans to sell warships to Cairo.

Giulio Regeni, 28, who was studying at Girton College, went missing in January 2016 while researching trade unions in Egypt. Days later, his bloodied, almost unrecognisable body was found dumped in a ditch north of Cairo. He had been tortured and murdered, some say by the Egyptian secret service, for his links with trade unions and antigovernment organisations.

His parents, Claudio and Paola, have campaigned for Italian governments to force the Egyptians to investigate but are appalled the ruling coalition between the populist Five Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party is negotiating to sell Egypt two frigates.

“We feel betrayed, but also offended and indignant,” they said.

Egypt has denied any involvement in the death, stonewalled Italy’s demands for co-operation and cracked down on critics, activists, journalists and lawyers in its own country.