Zaki: family, give Patrick Italian citizenship

"Italian citizenship for Patrick George Zaki"

.

This is the appeal that the family of the Egyptian student of the University of Bologna detained in Cairo launches through ANSA to Italian institutions almost a year after Patrick's arrest.

"The online collection of signatures launched to ask for it is really an excellent initiative but I hope it will not remain just a petition, I hope it will happen soon. The family joins this appeal".

Thus

granted thanks to the 'Patrick Libero' network of activists.

An appeal also addressed in particular to the new government that is being born in Italy.

"Unfortunately

. They publicly announce that there are 'reserved actions' but Patrick has been in jail for a year now. We know that the Italian government is a historic ally of Egypt and we are sure they can get his freedom. We just don't understand why he is still in prison despite a public commitment on the case, "says Marise.

All, he stresses,

that have commercial activities in Egypt "from which we have not seen significant actions so far", "must do their part to free an innocent person in prison".

"We are grateful for all the work that

and the various NGOs are doing for Patrick - adds Zaki's sister - and we believe that they must push the government authorities to act to release him. Keep the case alive and press international institutions to take them. commitments is what Patrick needs most ".

Even

, adds Zaki's 24-year-old sister, "is working day and night for Patrick and we appreciate all their efforts. They are an academic institution and cannot negotiate or press a state for the release of a political prisoner. Despite this, they have shown much more commitment to the case than any other government body. "

"He is not well, he is very anxious about his future and his studies"

.

This is what Patrick Zaki told his sister Marise on the occasion of the last meeting in prison between the two, on December 27, before the Coptic Christmas (January 7, 2021, ed.).

"He does not know what is happening outside, he is so disappointed that he is still in prison - Marise tells ANSA -. He is afraid that his colleagues, the University will forget about him. He kept asking when he will be free again, why he is still in prison without having done anything. Our last meeting was the hardest. "

From prison Patrick also gave his sister a small gift, a cross made with makeshift materials in the cell.

The news a few days ago of another 45 days in prison was heavy.

. A year full of sadness and disappointment. It is really hard for us that we can hardly bear it anymore."

"Now we no longer even have anything 'written' by the Egyptian court" about his case.

The conditions of detention are getting worse, explains Marise.

In this pandemic year, he stresses, "the worst thing was that they interrupted visits to prison for many months", knowing that he was "worried about the possibility of contracting the coronavirus", "above all

. So Patrick didn't have a chance to protect himself from the virus. "