Patrick Zaki returns to freedom: the statements by Rector Giovanni Molari and Federico Condello, Rector’s Delegate for Students

“Hearing about the judges of Mansoura Special Court issuing Patrick’s release made us as a community incredibly relieved and joyful. The news run through the corridors, from class-room to class-room and from office to office”, says the Rector of the University of Bologna, Giovanni Molari.

“His release from imprisonment makes the end of this dreadful affair more real: we are filled with joy by seeing his pictures in Egypt. Our University has been committed from day one, from the 7th of February 2020, to making sure that Patrick’s right were respected as well as expressing our support to human rights, freedom of speech and teaching, and the undeniable value of critical thinking.

Today we can celebrate although we won’t let our guard down until the accusations against him are dropped completely. We hope that Patrick will soon be able to put these two distressing years behind him and resume his studies here in Bologna, at his University. This is where he belongs, to our community with his fellow students and professors who cannot wait to have him back”.

According to Federico Condello, the Rector's Delegate for Students, “if yesterday was indeed a good day that caused us to be cautiously optimistic, today we can rejoice more freely.

Nevertheless, we know that this is not the finishing line, but just a step towards it. We take incredible comfort in thinking of Patrick reunited with his loved ones in a warm embrace. We are sure this warm and open embrace includes all the people who advocated for his freedom in the squares, on the streets and on the media for these long interminable months.

We would like to express our gratitude to the institutions, the associations - especially Amnesty International - and all the artists who stood by the University of Bologna during this fight for justice”.