Since November 10, the mother of Elanain Sharif, an Italian citizen of Egyptian origin, has had no news of her son. After an arrest in Cairo, the situation is further complicated, attracting the attention of the Farnesina and the Italian authorities.
Sharif, 44 years old and resident in Terni, had landed in Cairo with his mother for personal reasons. The woman reported that her son was stopped by the Egyptian authorities upon arrival, with his Italian passport confiscated. According to the lawyer Alessandro Russo, the family’s attorney, the story brings to mind well-known cases such as those of Giulio Regeni and Patrick Zaky.
“They had gone to Cairo on errands as they had done many times before,” Russo said of the family’s trip. The choice to return to Egypt on an Egyptian passport further complicated the situation, delaying access to a consular visit. The reasons for the arrest remain unclear; there has been talk of possible Facebook content, but no formal charges have been filed. Sharif works in the adult entertainment industry, which may have affected his legal case in Egypt.
After his arrest, Sharif was transferred to the Egyptian capital’s prison. The lawyer described the conditions he is in:
“He was there for a few days in inhumane conditions,” Russo said. The man was only allowed to rest for short periods and had to pay to sit in a chair. Sharif’s mother, who is currently in Egypt with a brother who works in the local police, is desperately seeking news on her son’s release. Despite communication and bureaucratic difficulties, the Farnesina continues to closely monitor the situation.
The case of Elanain Sharif is not just the story of a missing man; it also represents a challenge for relations between Italy and Egypt. As the Farnesina maintains contact with Egyptian authorities and Sharif’s family, public attention on human rights issues in the North African country is growing. The hope is that this case can reach a positive resolution and contribute to greater awareness of the difficulties faced by many Italian citizens abroad.
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