Why Was Patrick Zaki Arrested? Egypt Researcher Sentenced To Three Years In Jail, Parents & Family!
On Tuesday, a court in Egypt sentenced rights researcher Patrick Zaki to three years in prison on charges of “spreading false news.” Zaki, who worked for the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), was arrested during a visit to Egypt in February 2020 while he was a graduate student at the University of Bologna in Italy. The verdict has raised concerns about academic freedom and human rights in Egypt and has strained relations with Italy, where Zaki had a significant support base. Follow Our website TheGossipsWorld Media for the latest updates!!!!!
Patrick Zaki
Zaki is accused of spreading “false news” through a 2020 article that shed light on discrimination faced by Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority. The article highlighted the challenges and discrimination experienced by the community, which constitutes around 10-15% of Egypt’s population. The prosecutor disagreed with the content of the article, denying any discrimination against the Christian minority and demanding the maximum penalty for Zaki without mercy.
Patrick Zaki Arrested
The case against Zaki has been a prolonged and contentious legal battle. He spent 22 months in pre-trial detention before being released on bail pending the completion of his trial. Throughout this period, international condemnation grew, particularly in Italy, where he was studying at the time of his arrest. The charges against Zaki were severe, including accusations of “harming national security” and “incitement to overthrow the state.”
Zaki’s Accusations
Patrick Zaki faced charges of spreading “false news” in a 2020 article that shed light on discrimination faced by Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority, constituting around 10-15% of the country’s population. Arrested during a visit to Egypt in February 2020, Zaki was a graduate student at the University of Bologna in Italy at the time.
Zaki’s case had further strained relations between Egypt and Italy, already impacted by the 2016 killing of Italian doctoral student Giulio Regeni in Egypt. The Italian Senate had previously granted Zaki Italian citizenship in a symbolic gesture of support, and thousands signed petitions in Italy calling for his release.
International Response and Amnesty’s Condemnation
The verdict has triggered outrage and condemnation worldwide. Amnesty International’s Italian branch labeled it a “scandalous verdict.” Numerous petitions were signed in Italy urging for Zaki’s release, and the Italian Senate even granted him Italian citizenship in a symbolic show of support. Italy and Egypt’s relations had already been tense due to the 2016 killing of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Egypt, which raised concerns about academic freedom in the country.
Academic Freedom and Human Rights in Egypt
Egypt ranks at the bottom of the Academic Freedom Index, reflecting the frequent detention and harassment of researchers for their work. The case of Patrick Zaki highlights the challenges faced by human rights defenders and academics in the country, where voicing dissent or advocating for marginalized communities can result in severe repercussions. Reports of Zaki being beaten and tortured with electricity during detention have further raised alarm bells about human rights abuses in Egypt.
The sentencing of Patrick Zaki to three years in prison for “spreading false news” has sent shockwaves through the international community and strained relations between Egypt and Italy. The case has brought to light concerns about academic freedom and human rights in Egypt, where researchers and human rights defenders are often targeted for their work. As calls for justice and the protection of academic freedom continue to echo worldwide, the plight of Patrick Zaki serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those seeking to advocate for human rights and social justice in Egypt.
