Notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Marco Zennaro case

Faced with worrying reports of worsening conditions of detention of Marco Zennaro, following the instructions of Minister Di Maio, the Italian Ambassador in Khartoum, Gianluigi Vassallo, today made a step of firm protest to the highest Sudanese authorities for the unacceptable conditions in which the compatriot is imprisoned. The Ambassador highlighted the need to ensure full respect for the detainee’s human rights and appealed for the Italian entrepreneur to be transferred as soon as possible to house arrest in a hotel facility. On that occasion, Ambassador Vassallo reminded the Sudanese authorities of Italy’s strong expectation for a rapid and fair solution to the judicial case and the underlying commercial dispute, which would allow Zennaro’s position to be defined as soon as possible. At the same time, the Director-General for Italians Abroad, Luigi Vignali – who has been following the case from the beginning and went to Khartoum to meet Marco Zennaro, starting a discussion with the Sudanese authorities – summoned the Sudanese Chargé d’Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a vigorous protest on behalf of the Italian Government.