US calls for impartial investigation into Regeni murder

The United States has waded into the mysterious murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni by asking the Egyptian government to allow for “impartial and comprehensive investigations” into the matter.

Regeni, a post-graduate student of the Cambridge University went missing on January 25 in Egypt where he had been researching the country’s labour unions.

His body was found nine days later on the side of a road in the capital, Cairo.

There have since been varied accounts about how he was killed.

US State Dept: Questions over Regeni's death can only be answered by 'transparent inquiry' https://t.co/9Nh8yi2Onb pic.twitter.com/arSTULXECs

— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) April 22, 2016

Initially, an Egyptian gang said to be specialised in kidnapping foreigners was blamed for Regeni’s death. All 4 members of the gang were however said to have been shot dead by Egyptian forces and some of the relatives held for questioning.

The account has since changed with the Egyptian police saying they had detained Regeni on the day he was said to have gone missing.

But spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, John Kirby told a news conference that a comprehensive investigation was the best way to answer the nagging questions surrounding Regeni’s death.

“What I would tell you – and we have reiterated – is that the details that have come to light since his death have raised questions about the circumstances of his death that we believe can only be answered by an impartial and a comprehensive inquiry.”

“And we continue to call on the government of Egypt to insure that the investigation is conducted in a full and transparent manner, and to fully collaborate with the Italian officials who we know are part of that investigation,” Kirby added.

The unresolved murder of the Italian student threatens to mar relations between Egypt and Italy although some Egyptian officials have said the two countries remain on cordial terms.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Cairo this week to discuss human rights concerns with Egypt’s leaders. But Kirby would not say whether Giulio Regeni’ case came up for discussion during that meeting.

Reuters