Freed Egyptian researcher,
human-rights activist and Bologna University alumnus Patrick
Zaki said Friday there has been a slight change to his travel
plans to Italy and he will now be flying out of Cairo no earlier
than Sunday afternoon.
He had been expected back in the country on Saturday.
"There is a slight change in plans as it has come to our
attention that the official documents lifting the travel ban
will be finalised on Sunday at noon," Zaki said on Twitter.
"So we will have to travel after that to be sure my legal
situation is 100 per cent clear," he continued.
"Rest assured Bologna, I'll be there in a couple of days, we
just have to wait two more days," said Zaki.
Earlier sources told ANSA the researcher who was released from
police custody on Thursday after being granted a presidential
pardon the day before would fly from Cairo to Milan Malpensa on
Saturday on a scheduled flight with an Egyptian airline.
Zaki had refused to accept a special flight made available by
the Italian government and to meet with government
representatives, the sources added.
Amnesty International Italia said that the decision to return to
Italy by scheduled airline was a gesture of independence, not of
political opposition.
"The reputation of human rights activists is based on their
independence from governments,' said Amnesty spokesman Riccardo
Noury.
"They say thank you and express appreciation when things are
done for them, as has been the case here; and in fact Patrick
has repeatedly thanked the government and the embassy," he
continued.
"Deciding to travel on a scheduled flight is not a gesture of
political opposition, but a gesture of independence," concluded
Noury.
Zaki also announced on social media on Friday that he would be
in his university city of Bologna on Saturday morning to "crown
the long-awaited dream".
"The best feeling is freedom," he added.
Earlier this month Zaki obtained a masters degree in women's and
gender studies from Bologna University with the maximum grade of
110 with distinction, defending his thesis via video link after
the authorities in his homeland refused permission for him to
present it in person.
He had been stuck in Egypt since February 2020 after being
arrested at Cairo airport on charges of subversive propaganda
connected to some Facebook posts while returning home to visit
his family.
Zaki then spent 22 months in pre-trial detention before being
released in December 2021 but put on trial on separate charges
of spreading fake news in relation to an article on the
condition of Coptic Christians in Egypt and banned from leaving
the country.
On Tuesday he was convicted and handed a three-year prison
sentence, which was subsequently overturned with a pardon from
the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.
Meanwhile on Friday the local authorities in Bologna were busy
organising the celebrations for Zaki's return.
"It will be a party with all the people who have continued to
shine a spotlight on his case, because this contributed to his
release," said Deputy Mayor Emily Clancy, adding that the
celebrations would probably be held in the central Piazza
Maggiore.
She added that the 'Free Zaki' banner still hanging on the town
hall building would be removed in his presence.
"It will be a moment of joy and emotion for the city that has
never stopped fighting for his return, his freedom," said
Clancy.
"It will also be an opportunity for the city to thank Patrick
Zaki, a tireless champion of the fight for freedom and human
rights," she concluded.
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