Patrick Zaky meets the family. “Worrying about your mental state”

After months of waiting, Patrick Zaky’s family was able to join him in prison last week. The mother of the University of Bologna student arrested in Cairo in February was admitted to an interview with her son at the Tora maximum security prison outside Cairo. Her sister Marise and her father could only greet her from afar. The last meeting with family members dates back to March, when Patrick was arrested in Mansoura, the family’s hometown, where he was taken in the first days after his arrest.

Last week’s visit did not clear any doubts about the 29-year-old boy’s conditions: the relatives discovered that none of the letters from friends that they had delivered to jail reached the young man, and that only two of those written by his family were delivered .

Patrick, however, managed to get the family a note: “I am in good health and I hope you are in good health.” The news of the ticket – reproduced on this page – was communicated on social networks by the activists of ‘Patrick Libero’. Friends and family care “for your sanity” precisely because of the brief words of the note and its formal tone.

The note written by Patrick to his family: “I am in good health”

Zaky is accused, among other things, of propaganda against the government and incitement to violence. The relatives hoped to see him again today, the day of the visits to Tora: but they were only allowed to leave an envelope with food and clothes for the guards, like every week.

“This foggy situation – say the activists – contributed to the deterioration of Patrick’s mental state; not even receiving the written letters whose words could have encouraged him. This state has become worrisome for his family and friends and we do not know when it will end. We ask that it be put an end to these confusing and nebulous visiting conditions, to communicate properly until the next hearing, and we renew our request to release Patrick George. “

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Friday

My brother Patrick Zaky

by FRANCESCA CAFERRI