Trial in Giulio Regeni Murder Case Resumes, but Obstacle with Egyptian Experts

After years of delays, the court in Rome has finally resumed the in absentia trial of four Egyptian intelligence officers accused of the abduction, torture, and murder of Italian PhD student Giulio Regeni. The obstacle that had halted the proceedings was removed by a ruling from the Italian Constitutional Court (Consulta), which opened the way for continuation. However, the family's lawyer, Alessandra Ballerini, highlights a new serious procedural difficulty. „"È molto difficile trovare e nominare i consulenti egiziani. Hanno paura"” — Alessandra Ballerini. Without the appointment of independent experts from Egypt to assess evidence from the crime scene, the court may have problems with a full analysis of the evidentiary material, potentially weakening the prosecution's case. Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student at the University of Cambridge, was conducting research in Cairo on independent trade unions, a sensitive topic for the authorities. His brutally tortured body was found on February 3, 2016. The investigation from the outset encountered resistance and a lack of cooperation from Egypt, causing a serious diplomatic crisis between Rome and Cairo, and even the temporary withdrawal of the Italian ambassador. The victim's parents, Paola and Claudio, in statements to the media, express mixed feelings. As reported by their lawyer, they are "tired, but close to the goal" and maintain "trust" in the Italian justice system. On the other hand, Ballerini admits: "There is trust, but there is also fear." The finale of this painful, eight-year battle is expected in the summer of 2026, when the court is to issue its verdict. This trial is being closely watched as a test for both the Italian justice system and its determination to seek the truth in a case of international political significance, despite the lack of cooperation from a foreign state. Chronology of the Giulio Regeni Case: 25 stycznia 2016 — Disappearance in Cairo; 3 lutego 2016 — Body Found; grudzień 2021 — Indictment; 2025 — Constitutional Court Decision; 24 lutego 2026 — Trial Resumes The difficulty in obtaining Egyptian consultants is symptomatic of the broader problems the investigation has faced from the very beginning. Egypt has consistently denied any involvement of its security services and refused to cooperate, claiming that common criminals could be the perpetrators. The Italian investigation relied on analysis of phone data, witness testimonies, and material evidence, which pointed to a planned operation by the services. The Egyptian National Security Agency (NSA) has been repeatedly indicated by human rights organizations as an institution that employs violence. The lack of experts from the defendants' country of origin could be used by the defense to undermine the evidence. The Italian justice system faces the challenge of delivering justice in a case that has been a bone of contention in bilateral relations for years and a symbol of the fight against impunity for security services.