The city of Bologna last night turned out to celebrate the return of Patrick Zaki. The evening in his honor was held in Piazza Maggiore, sponsored by the City Council and the University of Bologna, and saw the banner calling for his release hanging on the facade of Palazzo D'Accursio removed at the opening. Flanking him during the removal were his fiancée, Mayor Matteo Lepore, Rector Giovanni Molari and Professor Rita Monticelli. During the evening he was also officially presented with the honorary citizenship of Bologna, which he had been granted in early 2021. "I say thank you, from tomorrow I will start fighting again," said the Egyptian activist, "I thank the whole city, which allowed my liberation. This is a city of freedom and human rights. I am happy to finally be here in person after years of online calls". He went on to say that "This city is always standing by people who defend and represent different ideas. It is an example for those who have no place". Only a week ago he had arrived at Milan's Malpensa airport and later at the University of Bologna to collect his graduation parchment. His release came after his trial in Egypt, following a three-year sentence and a pardon granted by Egypt's President Al Sisi.
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