Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told the daily newspaper L’Unita: “We acknowledge that Egypt is an important player for stability in a crucial area such as the Mediterranean. Yet we strongly reaffirm that the strategic importance of Egypt cannot be taken as a pretext to cast a veil over the truth behind Giulio Regeni’s death.”
The minister is working on two rather heated issues: the search for truth on the brutal murder of a young Italian researcher in Cairo and the situation in Libya. Italy is asking Egypt, an allied country, to establish the truth on the atrocious death of Giulio Regeni, who was tortured and brutally murdered and punish the culprits. He said one thing is certain: “We will not be satisfied by a convenient truth or by unlikely leads, such as the ones aired yesterday by Cairo. We owe it to the family of Giulio and to the dignity of our country. “
Mr. Minister, one month has passed since Giulio Regeni disappeared in Cairo and was found dead a few days later. You have repeatedly stated that Italy will not settle for a convenient truth…
“This is absolutely certain. We cannot and will not deny the truth and want the perpetrators of this heinous crime to be prosecuted. Our commitment is there and time will not weaken it. I can assure you that we will not relinquish this commitment. ”
The Egyptian authorities, however, continue to churn out a steady stream of new theories: the latest comes from the Ministry of the Interior which says the death of Giulio may have occurred because of a “personal vendetta.”
“As to this reconstruction the position of Italy is the same as was expressed during the question time at the Chamber of Deputies: Italy is asking for truth and not for improbable reconstructions.”
An Italian team of police experts has flown to Cairo to collaborate on the investigations of these past few weeks. Could you tell us something on the progress of these continuing investigations?
“An official collaboration framework was established and our investigative team is updated on the case by prosecutors in Giza. Our collaboration, however, could certainly be much more incisive. As to our ministry, through our diplomatic channels we have lodged specific requests to the Egyptian authorities in charge of the investigation. Our investigators cannot be merely informed. They should have access to video and audio evidence, to medical records and to all information in the possession of the Prosecutor of Giza. On this point I would like to insist strongly, because it is an absolutely crucial point: Italy will never accept an improbable truth. A collaboration is underway but it can be much more effective. And this also for a reason that we certainly do not want to hide or minimise. ”
What are you referring to?
“When we lodge our requests, when we ask for truth and justice for Giulio Regeni, we do so while bearing in mind that this request is addressed to Egypt, a country whose stability is crucial in an area, the Mediterranean, that we should not forget is at the epicentre of a global disorder. We are well aware of this, yet for this very reason we cannot put up with anything less than truth and want to see the culprits on the stand.”
Mr. Minister, talking about the Mediterranean and global disorder, a very high priority for Italy is Libya. Italy has been at the forefront in supporting diplomatic efforts leading to the formation of a government of national unity. Can you tell us what’s behind this commitment?
“There is a profound conviction that the solution to the Libyan crisis does not lie in improbable military missions. Those who think so are seriously mistaken. Italy is coordinating efforts to meet the demands of the new Libyan government as to security. We are leading an international process, but the process is very fragile and the way ahead is certainly not downhill. ”
Some say, even among European allies, that a military action is crucial to combat terrorism and prevent the “Caliphate” from penetrating in Libya. How do you respond to that?
“We must make a clear distinction between the fight against terrorism and the solution of the Libyan issue: these two issues proceed on two separate grounds. In Libya we need a stable country, a government with which Italy and Europe may interact to manage migration and combat terrorism, human smugglers. “
But won’t the avenue of a political settlement likely bring to a dead end?
“For the stability of Libya, there are no military shortcuts. This is why we continue to insist. However, the decision is Libyan. Despite the postponement [of the vote of parliament on the government, Editor’s note] an overwhelming majority is in favour of the agreement, and on this, the international community will depend.”