In Rome, a new trial has started for four Egyptian security officers accused of killing an Italian student in 2016. They say they didn't do it and are being tried even though they're not there.
Giulio Regeni was 28 and studying for a PhD at Cambridge University. He disappeared in Egypt, and later, his body was found hurt and dumped near Cairo. It looked like he had been tortured badly before he died.
The relationship between Italy and Egypt was tensed due to this incident . Italy said Egypt wasn't helping to find out what happened to Mr. Regeni. As a result of the officers whereabouts unknown, the trial that was due to start in 2021 was Delayed.
Italy decided the trial could go on without the officers there. Mr. Regeni's family came to the trial with yellow roses and a banner asking for the truth about what happened to him. It's been eight years of waiting for answers.
Mr. Regeni was abducted on January 25, 2016, while he was in Egypt for his PhD research work while a student of Cambridge university. He research topic was base on Egyptian trade unions, which is a sensitive topic there. His body was found on February 3, in a ditch on the road from Cairo to Alexandria.
His mom said he was so hurt that she could only recognize him by his nose. He had injuries like he was hit and kicked, and he died because his neck was broken.
At first, Italian and Egyptian investigators worked together but didn't agree on what happened. Egypt said Mr. Regeni was killed by criminals and gave other possible reasons like a car crash or robbery. The Egyptian government denied the allegations of having a hand in the death of Mr.Regeni .
But, the prosecutors in Rome think the Egyptian security agency did it. The four officers are accused of kidnapping, hurting, and killing Mr. Regeni. It was also alleged that an officer named Maj Sharif, was responsible of ordering people to watch Mr. Regeni, who was then caught and tortured for days.
Egypt stopped its investigation in 2020, saying there wasn't enough proof. Italian prosecutors said Egypt was trying to confuse the investigation, and Italy even called back its ambassador.