Human rights activist Patrick George Zaki has been sentenced to three years in prison by an Egyptian court for "disseminating false news." The conviction stems from a 2019 article Zaki wrote concerning alleged discrimination against Coptic Christians in Egypt. This decision has reignited international concern over Egypt's treatment of those critical of the government, particularly echoing the case of Giulio Regeni, an Italian student killed in Cairo in 2016.

Amnesty International immediately condemned the sentencing and the subsequent image of Zaki being escorted from the courtroom. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), with whom Zaki worked as a gender rights researcher, confirmed that he was taken into custody following the verdict. Zaki was initially arrested in February 2020 upon returning to Egypt from his studies in Italy. While he was released from pre-trial detention in December 2021, he remained subject to travel restrictions within Egypt.

Due to the trial taking place in an emergency court, Zaki has no legal avenue for appeal, a further point of concern regarding Egypt's human rights record. However, the final decision rests with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who retains the authority to either overturn the verdict or grant Zaki a pardon.

This case has garnered significant attention in Italy, where Zaki was a postgraduate student, evoking memories of the tragic death of Italian student Giulio Regeni. Italian and other European governments have consistently advocated for Zaki's release. Following the verdict, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Italy's continued commitment to a positive resolution for Zaki's situation.

Zaki's situation highlights the increasing crackdown on dissent in Egypt over the past decade. This suppression targets not only political opponents but also activists, journalists, and online critics, often employing extended pre-trial detentions. This case underscores the ongoing tension between Egypt and the West regarding human rights concerns.