Meloni says cutting channels with Egypt could hamper the Regeni trial

Meloni says cutting channels with Egypt would hamper the Regeni trial

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said political and diplomatic channels with Egypt must remain open to reach the truth and justice in the Giulio Regeni case. A Rome court sentenced three Egyptian intelligence agents to 10 years in prison each over Regeni’s kidnapping, while dropping the murder charge.

Scraper SystemSeptember 30, 2026, 02:39 PM

Meloni says cutting channels with Egypt would hamper the Regeni trial

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said political and diplomatic channels of communication with Egypt must continue to be used to reach the truth and justice concerning the death of Giulio Regeni. She said closing these channels would make the process more difficult rather than bringing it closer to its goal.

Meloni made the remarks to journalists on Tuesday in Prague, the capital of Czechia, after meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Reiterating her closeness to Regeni’s family, Meloni said the legal process related to the Rome court’s ruling on the Egyptian intelligence agents must proceed through the appropriate procedures and at the appropriate time.

Meloni noted that the ruling was not yet final and said political and diplomatic tools were also important in the search for truth and justice.

İtalya Başbakanı Giorgia Meloni (arşiv)

Rome court’s ruling

On Monday, a Rome court sentenced three Egyptian intelligence agents to 10 years in prison each over the kidnapping of Regeni, who disappeared in 2016. The murder charge against the defendants was dropped.

Milano Belediyesi'ne asılan 'Giulio Regeni için gerçek' pankartı (arşiv)

Regeni, 28, was pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom when he disappeared in Cairo on Jan. 25, 2016, while researching trade unions and working conditions in Egypt. His body was found days later near a highway outside Cairo.

Regeni’s body showed signs of severe violence and torture, including cigarette burns, broken teeth and bone fractures.

Italy-Czechia agenda in Prague

During Meloni’s visit to Prague, the two sides discussed strengthening the 2026-2030 Italy-Czechia Action Plan, which covers political and economic relations as well as defense and security, infrastructure, research and innovation, migration and competitiveness.

Çekya Başbakanı Andrej Babiš (arşiv)

The two leaders also assessed energy costs, cooperation on nuclear energy and proposals concerning the European Union’s Emissions Trading System. Meloni said the two countries could become technological and industrial partners in the nuclear sector, particularly in developing small modular reactors.

Meloni says cutting channels with Egypt would hamper the Regeni trial