The former president of the United States, Donald Trump, revealed that he received a letter from the Justice Department informing him that it is under investigation regarding the riots that occurred on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, in a bid to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election. The letter was sent by the attorney Jack Smith. The former US president has four days to turn himself in.
THEannouncement it was done via a long post on the social media Truth saying he received the destination letter while out on a Sunday night with his family.
Trump's accusation post
“Sunday evening, while I was with my family, my lawyers gave me scary news for our country. Mad Jack Smith, Joe Biden's Justice Department attorney, sent a letter (again, Sunday night!) stating that I'm a Objective of the investigation of the investigative jury of January 6 and that I have only 4 very short days to present myself to the investigating jury, which almost always means an arrest and a formal charge” – writes Trump in his post on Truth. In his long post he subsequently lashes out at Biden and the Minister of Justice, merrick garland accusing them of “political manipulation and interference” and writing that “they want eliminate opponent number one“. For Trump this accusation would be “a witch hunt which is electoral interference and a complete and total use of the forces of order as a political weapon. Nothing like this has ever happened in our country."
What is Trump risking?
Thus Trump risks being indicted by federal prosecutors for his involvement in attempts to block the transfer of power to Joe Biden. The letter he received from Special Counsel Jack Smith could be a warning that the collected evidence by prosecutors they link it to the assault of his supporters on Capitol Hill. Typically, this type of communication is often a prelude to an indictment.
The spokesman for the Office of the Special Counsel declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
Patrick Zaki sentenced to three years
On the other hand, whoever was found guilty is Patrick Zaki. The Egyptian student, accused of spreading false information, was sentenced to three years. This was reported by one of the activist's four lawyers at the end of today's hearing in Mansura, Egypt. Zaki was taken from the courtroom through the passage reserved for the defendants, while his mother and girlfriend, who were waiting for him outside, screamed.
For Hazem Salah, one of Zaki's lawyers, "calculating the pre-trial detention period already served", the Egyptian researcher would still have "to spend a year and two months in prison“. Zaki was remanded in prison for 22 months until December 2021.
According to Bossam Bahgat, Egyptian human rights activist and founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights "The sentence is not subject to Appeal or Cassation. Patrick was arrested in court in preparation for his transfer to the Gamasa police station."
Patrick Zaki's lead counsel announced that will file an appeal against the sentence: "We will ask the military governor to cancel the sentence or to have the trial re-done as happened in the case of Ahmed Samir Santawy".
Comments on Zaki's sentencing
Amnesty's comment was immediate, following the Zaki case from the start. “The worst possible scenario. Patrick Zaki sentenced to three years" the Amnesty Italy spokesman wrote on social profiles, Richard Noury.
“Now more than ever we will continue to ask for the release of Patrick Zaki, so that he can return to Bologna. The government should do the same, acting with the Egyptian authorities" asked the president of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Stefano Bonaccini.
Also the Prime Minister Meloni she expressed herself on the matter: "Our commitment to a positive solution to the case of Patrick Zaki has never ceased, she continues, we still have faith".
The accusations against Zaki
Patrick Zaki, human rights activist, was arrested on February 7, 2020 at Cairo airport, upon his arrival from Italy.
The young man was accused of dissemination of false information through journalistic articles, incitement to protest and incitement to violence and terrorist crimes. Zaki was held in pre-trial detention for over two years without a fair and transparent trial. During his detention, concerns were raised about his health and the treatment he received.
