Nishka Srinivas Veluvali –
Published On: December 08, 2021 at 20:10 IST
The Egyptian Court ordered to release the jailed researcher Patrick George Zaki and start with his pending Trial by February 01, 2022 for “spreading fake news.”
This Verdict of Court was openly welcomed by the human rights defenders and the Prime Minister of Italy, where Zaki was studying.
The Court in Nile Delta located in the city of Mansoura pushed Zaki’s trial till February 1, 2022 to give the Prosecutors and Defence Lawyers adequate time to prepare their arguments.
Patrick Zaki was Arrested on February 7, 2020 after the moment he landed in Cairo, to pay a visit to his family members. The Charge put on him was “spreading of fake news” with respect to the predicament of the Christians in an article written by him.
The Accused was kept in Pretrial detention for more than a year and half even before his Trial began in September.
Patrick Zaki was previously associated as a researcher with Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), an Independent rights group in the country.
Italian lawmakers have also officially asked the Government to grant Zaki citizenship so that he could be released.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi showcased his satisfaction and stated that the “The issue has been and will be closely watched by the Italian government.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio too took on to the twitter and expressed his happiness on the release of Zaki.