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Parents of slain Italian student dismiss Egypt's explanation

Associated Press
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Paola, the mother of Giulio Regeni, holds a banner reading: Truth for Giulio Regeni, prior to the start of a press conference held at the Italian Senate, in Rome, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Giulio Regeni, 28, an Italian doctoral student disappeared in Cairo on Jan. 25, the anniversary of Egypt's 2011 uprising, a day when security forces were on high alert and on the streets in force to prevent any demonstrations or protests. His body, stabbed repeatedly and exhibiting cigarette burns and other signs of torture, was reported found on Feb. 3. (AP hoto/Gregorio Borgia) (The Associated Press)

Paola, the mother of Giulio Regeni, center, flanked by lawyer Alessandra Ballerini, left, and by senator Luigi Manconi attends a press conference held at the Italian Senate, in Rome, Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Giulio Regeni, 28, an Italian doctoral student disappeared in Cairo on Jan. 25, the anniversary of Egypt's 2011 uprising, a day when security forces were on high alert and on the streets in force to prevent any demonstrations or protests. His body, stabbed repeatedly and exhibiting cigarette burns and other signs of torture, was reported found on Feb. 3. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (The Associated Press)

The parents of an Italian doctoral student killed in Cairo have dismissed the explanation provided by Egyptian authorities about their son's death.

Egypt says that Giulio Regeni fell victim to robbers but his parents are discounting that version of events, arguing that many of the items claimed to belong to their son weren't his.

The 28-year-old labor researcher disappeared on the Jan. 25 anniversary of the 2011 uprising. His body was found nine days later. Family lawyer Alessandra Ballerini revealed Tuesday an Italian autopsy determined he died Feb. 1 or 2 after "protracted torture."

Meeting media at the Senate in Rome, Giulio's parents, Paola and Claudio Regeni, also pressed the Italian government to declare Egypt "unsafe" for tourists following their son's death.