Thread by @monaeltahawy

#Italy is negotiating to sell two FREMM frigates to #Egypt for around €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion). News of the deal drew criticism in Italy from politicians who have been concerned over human rights abuses in Egypt. defensenews.com/global/europe/… #FreePatrickZaki

The #Egyptian public prosecutor's office is pursuing a criminal investigation into Patrick Zaki, an Egyptian researcher studying in Italy on charges of spreading fake news nytimes.com/reuters/2020/0… #FreePatrickZaki

Zaki was arrested Feb. 7 when he arrived at #Cairo airport on a visit to see his family. A lawyer for @EIPR where Zaki is also a researcher has said that Zaki denied all charges and that his client had mostly been questioned about his human rights work when he was living in Egypt

The lawyer, who said he spoke to Patrick Zaki after his arrest, said the postgraduate student told him he had been interrogated while blindfolded and had been beaten and subjected to electric shocks.
#FreePatrickZaki #Egypt #Italy