CAIRO: The Italian Ministry of Interior announced that it has, in cooperation with the Egyptian Embassy in Rome, deported 72 Egyptians. On Wednesday, 72 out of 105 Egyptians arrested in an attempt to illegally immigrate into Italy that were caught off the coast of Sicily were deported. A statement issued by the Italian Ministry of Interior added that a percautionary detention order have been issued agianst 13 other Egyptians, “under charges of facilitating illegal immigration and smuggling of human beings and that based on investigations conducted by public prosecutors and the testimony of four of the migrants against them.” The remaining Egyptian citizens, 72 in total, were deported back to North Africa. According to reports, the majoirty of the Egyptians deported were between the ages of 16- and 18-years-old. Those remaining in Italy have been placed in a special house where they are being investigated and receiving specialized health care. The Italian statement concluded by saying: “The immediate deportation came thanks to the cooperation between prosecutors and police ports, and strong relations with the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Rome.” BM
