Patrick Zaki's release is a "matter for the judges. As a government we cannot interfere with the judiciary. We believe that our judicial system is fair and that the judges will make the right decision."
This was said by the Egyptian premier, Mostafa Madbouly, on the sidelines of a meeting at the OECD in Paris, to those who asked him if Italy and Europe could count on the release of the student of the University of Bologna by the end of the year . He also insisted on the separation of powers.
When asked about relations between Cairo and Rome, Madbouly replied that our country is a "good partner".
After 19 months of pre-trial detention in prison, the trial of the young Egyptian accused began in mid-September. There are two hearings held to date. The trial was updated on 7 December .
He faces up to five years in prison for an article he wrote in 2019 on the persecution of Christians in Egypt.
The Egyptian premier is in Paris for the signing of a new cooperation agreement with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Together with the OECD secretary general, Matthias Cormann, the Egyptian premier, accompanied by a large delegation from Cairo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the launch of a three-year program with the organization.
The program will provide information, practices and guidance for planning and implementing structural reforms in Egypt and for bringing Egypt into closer alignment with OECD policy standards. On the other hand, there is no reference to respect for human rights.
(Unioneonline / F)
