Egypt’s Interior Ministry: Regeni’s murder possible act of vengeance

Egypt's Interior Ministry stated on Wednesday that ongoing investigations into the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni have not ruled out any possibilities, including the suspicion of “revenge for personal motives,” especially as he “enjoyed multiple relationships” in Egypt.

The ministry claimed an Egyptian investigative team ascertained that Regeni had broad connections and relationships, “despite having only been in the country for not more than six months,” in a statement on Wednesday.

All of Regeni’s foreign and Egyptian acquaintances have been summoned to discuss their relationship with him in detail, the ministry added.

Regeni’s body was found earlier this month by the side of a road on the outskirts of Cairo in the Giza suburb of 6th of October City, showing signs of torture, including cigarette burns, bruises, cuts and multiple stab wounds. The 28-year-old went missing on January 25, 2016 — the fifth anniversary of the 2011 revolution, after he was reportedly headed to the downtown Cairo district of Bab al-Louq, near Tahrir Square, which was occupied by heavily armed police forces.

In its statement, the Interior Ministry said it is carrying out a transparent investigation, especially in light of “the insistence of some to preempt the results of the investigation and the circulation of rumors in foreign newspapers without any evidence … which mislead public opinion and could affect the investigation.”

It has been widely speculated that Regeni was tortured and killed by the police as more horrifying details about his murder continue to emerge. The Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Regeni suffered “inhumane” and “animal-like” violence.

Last week, Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera cited Italian investigators who spoke to a key witness about Regeni being taken by plain clothed officers at 5.30 pm near the Behouth metro station in Dokki, located three minutes from his residence.

However, the newspaper later discredited the eyewitness account, saying Regeni texted his girlfriend and professor two hours later, according to his phone records.

The New York Times also spoke to several eyewitnesses who alleged that two plain clothed officers were searching for young men in the area at the time of Regeni's disappearance around 7 pm. One of the witnesses said he had seen the two officers stop Regeni, search his bag and check his passport before taking him away.

In light of these reports, the Interior Ministry officially denied that police had arrested Regeni, clarifying that Western news organizations published “completely false” information about his disappearance, and that Egyptian officials are working extensively to reveal information about the conditions of his murder in full collaboration with Italian investigators.

In Wednesday’s statement, the Interior Ministry affirmed it is working closely with the Italian investigative team currently in Egypt, offering condolences to Regeni’s family and the Italian people.

Yet, there have been many criticims of the way in which Egyptian authorities have conducted the investigation to date. 

Rights activists revealed that a senior police officer in charge of the preliminary investigation into Regeni’s murder has a prior conviction for torturing a man to death and forging a police report, and was issued a suspended sentence. 

The New York Times also reported that Regeni walked past four stores with surveillance cameras on the night of his disappearance, but Egyptian police have yet to request the footage, according to the shopkeepers.