Trade unionists from the SI COBAS union are leading a campaign to defend Mohamed Shahin, imam of a mosque in Turin and an outspoken campaigner for Palestine in the city. Shahin was seized by the Italian police on 25 November and told his long-term residence permit was being revoked and that he faces deportation to Egypt. 

“This is the vengeance of the state against Mohamed”, Fabio Santoro of the SI COBAS union told an international meeting of trade unionists on Wednesday this week. “He would be likely tortured and killed as an opponent of the Egyptian government, for the support he showed to a free Palestine during the demonstrations of the last two years. This is one of the worst repressive attacks until now and a message of intimidation to all immigrants by the Italian government.” 

At a press conference in Turin demanding the release of Mohamed Shahin, the Turin for Gaza Coordination issued the following statement: 

“His only “crime” is having shouted with all of us for freedom for Palestine, having denounced the brutality of Israeli colonialism, international complicity, and the corruption of Arab governments. As the Turin for Gaza Coordination, we openly denounce this cowardly, Islamophobic, and racist act, which is part of a political climate increasingly hostile toward anyone unwilling to remain docile and silent.” 

Warehouse workers at the Mondo Convenienza furniture company also showed their solidarity with Mohamed Shahin on their picket line this week. 

The arrest comes amid mobilisations for a new general strike in Italy 28-29 November against the war economy and rearmament plans of Italy’s far-right government. 

What you can do: 

• Contact the Italian embassy in your country calling for the immediate release of Mohamed Shahin and no deportations to Egypt for Palestine solidarity activism
• Follow SI COBAS Torino on Instagram for updates