After 670 days of detention, Patrick Zaki is free, and has returned home, in Mansoura’s apartment where he grew up. Next to him, his mother Hala, his sister Marise, his girlfriend, a friend and his father George. And the dog Julie. He can finally embrace them.
“One of the things that makes you suffer the most when you are in prison is the thought of the pain you cause to the people you love. I just have to say thank you, thanks to Italy for being close to me and my family. Thanks to everyone who kept the light on. And the list is very long », told the journalist Marta Serafini of the Courier service.
“The friends all over the world, who have worked hard for me. But also your diplomatic delegation that came to the hearings. Then the University of Bologna. All fellow masters ». And, in particular, Professor Rita Monticelli. «He is my mentor at the Gemma master in Bologna. A person who treated me like a son. And he not only passed on knowledge but also values. Empathy, respect. And listening. And then my sister Marise ».
Patrick Zaki did not know he would be released. “They didn’t announce that I was going to be released,” he said. “Suddenly they took me to the police station, and started taking my fingerprints. I didn’t understand what was happening, there were no signs that they were about to release me. I was confused. I cannot say all the details and I prefer not to talk about the conditions of detention. But then I realized there was hope. Hope, you know, is the hardest thing to keep alive when they take away your freedom. “
In jail, Patrick he read a lot. «Dostoevsky, Saramago. And then “The brilliant friend” by Elena Ferrante. My favorite, perhaps. The university books, on the other hand, were more complicated to have ». He also wrote a little. “Sometimes, but I wasn’t always allowed to keep the block.” Writing allowed him «to re-elaborate, to process what had happened. A person close to me taught me this ».
Now is the time to make plans. Like the one of resume the master’s degree in gender equality studies of the University of Bologna which could not conclude. «I can’t wait to be able to hug my classmates again, my professors. And there is a place where I would like to go sooner or later, in Italy ». Naples. “I’ve never been there. My great-grandmother Adel came from Naples. I don’t speak Italian that well, but the accent of that part of the country has always fascinated me. I love Neapolitan authors very much ».
As soon as possible, Zaki would also like meet Senator Liliana Segre, who voted to apply for citizenship, saying that she is in the Chamber ideally like her grandmother, as a person who knows what it means to be locked in a room from which one cannot leave. “It filled me with pride to know that someone of your level and moral stature was interested in me. I want to meet her. Absolutely. I hope this will happen as soon as possible ».
Other stories of Vanity Fair that might interest you:
Patrick Zaki is released from prison: “I’m fine, come on Bologna!”
Zaki’s letter to his girlfriend: “The situation is getting worse”
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