“He used to call me ‘Sister’, sister, whenever I was overwhelmed or disheartened by some tests. He was very helpful: I don’t live in the center of Bologna, if there was a dinner we were together until the appointment time. And at night, she waited with me for the bus to protect me and not let me be alone», Sofia Selighini is 24 years old and is one of the classmate of Patrick Zaki | to the Master in Gender Studies at the University of Bologna.
A 28 year old like many others, with a head full of dreams and the hope of making the world a better place.
The Master, which lasts two years, is attended by ten students, almost all international. When your “home” is in another state, the new points of reference, the ones you can count on at any time, become your classmates, your friends. Now Sofia is writing her thesis, like her other friends, but not Zaki. More than a year ago he was arrested on his way back to Egypt to spend a short vacation with his family. On that day, a pre-trial detention began which was renewed every 45 days, and was charged with “spreading false news”, “inciting protest” and “inciting violence and terrorist crimes”.
“The first time I saw him – with his curls and glasses – he was agitated. He had just arrived from Egypt and had to understand how to manage the university bureaucracy. He immediately got oriented. Super energetic and vital, he loved organizing aperitifs, dinners, playing soccer and volleyball. It was really hard for him to sit three hours straight in class. He always wanted to get out of the classroom. And now it is impossible to imagine him locked in a cell, within four walls ».
Just before leaving Sofia and Zaki had taken an exam together. “I heard it the night before he returned. He was very happy to hug his family again. He asked me if I wanted a thought from Egypt. You see, he is so, very kind ».
Then, everything changed. «On the morning of 7 February 2020, some of his Egyptian friends contacted us because Zaki had never arrived home. It had completely disappeared. We immediately understood that something had happened. Then, Amnesty International reported his arrest and the media picked up the news. We immediately mobilized: we created a page on Facebook and organized many events. In the beginning it was about two or three a week. The largest was the one managed by the University that filled Piazza Maggiore ».
Sofia and her classmates are doing everything they can to prevent their friend Patrick’s case from being forgotten.
“I think people have grown fond of him. He’s just a guy like any other with a particular interest in human rights (activist for the NGO Eipr – Egyptian initiative for personal rights ed.) like me. Before all of this, there were many things I took for granted: like freedom. I can report everything that is happening to my friend, without being afraid of repercussions on my loved ones. But no one can choose where to be born. And then I could have been in Patrick’s place. Until you clash with other realities, you don’t know the true value of what you have. Now everything is different ».
Many are asking Italy to grant citizenship to Patrick. If this were the case, there would be an Italian student in prison, and therefore a European one, and our authorities would have more opportunities to negotiate to obtain release. «Only when the institutions take a position will there be change. We are doing what we can, but we haven’t had any kind of feedback yet ». Sofia and her friends are afraid. Fear of what may happen and what will be.
«Even if he were to release him today, Patrick will be marked for life. I’m really scared. We have a lot of hope but also discouragement and frustration. We who have the freedom to do so, however, do not lose the desire to fight for him. We owe it to him as his companions ».
And maybe, when it’s all over, Patrick will finally be able to organize that Egyptian dinner he promised Sofia before leaving on that damned flight. All together drinking spritz, laughing and feeling incredibly light.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
