Regeni family faced 'persecution, threats', trial of Egyptian officials told

Alessandra Ballerini, the lawyer

representing Giulio Regeni's parents, told the Rome in-absentia

trial of four Egyptian security officials accused of torturing

the Italian student to death in 2016 that the family had faced

threats and intimidation during their battle for justice.

"The Regeni family fought with their bare hands against the

Egyptian regime, but never lost a shred of dignity," Ballerini

told a hearing in the bunker courtroom of Rome's Rebibbia

prison.

"The Regeni family never allowed themselves to be consumed by

hatred.

"They have never sought revenge or punishment; they only

demanded truth and justice.

"The family has been subjected to every kind of torment since

Giulio disappeared. "We've had to meet with government

officials, including Egyptian representatives; they've been

spared nothing.

"We've endured persecution and threats".

The 28-year-old student's half-naked body was found in a ditch

on the Cairo-Alexandria highway on February 3, 2016, a week

after he disappeared on the Cairo metro on January 25.

On Tuesday prosecutors requested a life term and three

17-and-a-half-year terms for the Egyptian officials.

Regeni, a Friuli-born Cambridge University doctoral researcher

into Cairo street unions, was allegedly abducted and tortured to

death by National Security General Tariq Sabir and his

subordinates, Colonels Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Usham

Helmi, and Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif. The life term was

asked for the latter.

The four have not attended any of the trial hearings after Egypt

refused to notify them of the proceedings.

Related stories