Diplomatic tension escalates between Egypt and Italy

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Diplomatic tension escalates between Egypt and Italy
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS, AFP



ROME: -- Diplomatic tension is escalating in the wake of the death of an Italian student in Egypt.

28-year-old Giulio Regeni disappeared in Cairo at the end of January.

His body was found on the roadside a few days later.

Investigators say it bore signs of torture.

Italy has recalled its ambassador to Egypt, after Cairo refused to hand over relevant phone records.

“Italy has been a very very close friend of Egypt since the 30th of June. And if you discuss logically, and people don’t wan’t logic here, they want the truth, But if you discuss logic, I mean, why would the Egyptian authorities, why would any Egyptian harm an Italian? We have no history of torturing foreign visitors in Egypt,” Ahmed Said, the head of the Egyptian parliamentary delegation told Euronews during a visit to the European Parliament.

Italian centre-right MEP Gianni Pitella told Euronews it is a question of human rights.

“I’m asking the European Commission, like the Italian government did, reconsider the relationship with Egypt. Egypt is an economical and strategically important partner both for Italy and Europe, but this doesn’t mean that Egypt can not afford to respect human rights”.

The context
Tensions began when Cairo refused to hand over extensive phone records as part of the investigation into Mr Regeni’s death.

Italy recalled its ambassador to Egypt on Friday, saying investigators had failed to provide the evidence needed to resolve the case.

Who was Giulio Regeni?

A 28-year-old PHD student
Researching the Egyptian labour movement
Disappeared on January 25th – the anniversary of the start of the 2011 uprising
His body was discovered on February 3 with extensive signs of torture, according to Egyptian investigators
Human rights groups say the injuries bear all the hallmarks of Egypt’s security agencies.

They have pointed to the number of Egyptians who have disappeared over the past year.

Egyptian officials have repeatedly denied involvement in Mr Regeni’s death.

However they have yet to offer an explanation that satisfies the Italian authorities.

Officials say the findings of the Italian and Egyptian autopsies were almost identical.

What has Italy done?
Recalled its ambassador to Egypt last Friday
Requested all phone records from the area where Regeni lived
Observers say Italy’s decision to escalate the diplomatic dispute could dent Italian efforts to become Egypt’s key European partner in fighting terrorism and people-smuggling.

Italy also has significant economic interests in Egypt, including the giant offshore Zohr gas field. This is being developed by Italy’s state energy producer, Eni.

What has Egypt done
Cairo says it has complied with 98% of Italy’s requests
Handed over the requested surveillance camera but the relevant footage had automatically deleted
Refuses to share phone records sought by Italian investigators
Wants information about Egyptian national Adel Moawad, who disappeared in Italy last year.

What they are saying
“This demand goes against the constitution and the law and it is a crime for anyone who does it” – Egypt’s assistant public prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman says Cairo is examining the records itself.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-04-13

[Ulic]

So in short, Egypt has done everything Italy has requested that will not help and done

nothing requested that can help.

[casualbiker]

Would a country say like the USA. Hand over a whole districts phone records to a foreign government. I think NOT. So why should Egypt?

[GOLDBUGGY]

Would a country say like the USA. Hand over a whole districts phone records to a foreign government. I think NOT. So why should Egypt?

I tend to agree with you. It is like Italy is accusing them of something. Fine, if they can prove that. But to come out and make this claim without any proof is pretty arrogant. To keep the peace maybe Egypt should give them what they want. But at the same time I don't blame them if they don't.

I certainly can't imagine my government breaking diplomatic talks and pulling there Ambassador over my death from any cause and anywhere.