Christian Rights Activist Patrick Zaki Sentenced to 3 Years in Egyptian Prison

Egyptian rights activist Patrick Zaki has been sentenced to three years in prison by an emergency court for "spreading false news" through an article he wrote about his life as a Coptic Christian. Zaki, who spent 22 months in custody after being arrested in 2020, denied the charge. The verdict, which cannot be appealed, has been criticized by human rights groups as a "travesty of justice." Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed confidence in finding a positive solution, while the Egyptian government continues to face accusations of a crackdown on dissent.