Egyptian Court Upholds 25-Year Sentence for Italian National Accused of Drug Offenses
On Wednesday, an Egyptian court upheld the 25-year sentence of Giacomo Passeri, a 31-year-old from Pescara, Italy, who was arrested in Egypt in August 2023. Passeri has been detained on charges of drug possession and trafficking, which his family claims stem from his possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use.
In a prior ruling during the first trial held last August, Passeri was sentenced to 25 years in prison on the same charges. His legal team had appealed the conviction, but their efforts were unsuccessful as the appeal was rejected, and the original sentence was confirmed. Passeri, who had been living in London, was arrested in Cairo on August 23 of last year while on vacation.
The family of Giacomo Passeri is actively seeking intervention from the Italian government for his transfer back to Italy, a request that has reportedly been denied. They have expressed serious concerns about the degrading conditions of detention that Passeri is said to endure.
Particularly distressing are the claims from his brothers, who have been in direct contact with him through phone calls and letters following the arrest. Passeri conveyed to them that he has been mistreated and has received inadequate medical care, especially after undergoing an appendectomy during his imprisonment.
This case highlights significant issues regarding the treatment of foreigners within the Egyptian legal and penal system, as well as the international implications of drug laws that can vary dramatically from one country to another. As Passeri's family continues to advocate for his rights and well-being, questions arise about the responsibilities of governments to protect their citizens abroad, especially in cases where the legal charges may appear disproportionate to the alleged offenses.
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