On 19 August, the first instance hearing in the Passeri case took place in Cairo, which the Head of the Consular Chancellery of the Italian Embassy attended as an observer with the help of an interpreter.
On the same day, the attorney informed the Headquarters that Passeri had been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment (i.e. not life imprisonment). The Egyptian authorities accuse Passeri of being in possession of a large quantity of drugs, including numerous ‘eggs’, which he ingested, also containing drugs. They have therefore convicted him of international drug trafficking.
However, pending the publication of the verdict, the attorney has already informed the Embassy of his intention to appeal.
In close coordination with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy is continuing to follow the case with the utmost attention through constant contacts with the Italian national’s attorney, and has requested the competent Egyptian authorities to authorise a consular visit to the prison as a matter of urgency, in order to provide any necessary assistance.
