Italian woman rescued from abuse in Egypt at Palermo Airport

An Italian woman from Ragusa was rescued at Palermo’s Falcone and Borsellino Airport after escaping years of abuse and confinement in Egypt. The victim used the universal hand signal for help—four fingers closed over the thumb—to discreetly alert border police upon her arrival between August 29 and 30.

The woman reported being married to an Egyptian citizen for over ten years. She alleged that since at least 2017, she had been subjected to physical violence, sexual assault, and extreme isolation in Cairo. She was reportedly denied the ability to work, control her own money, or use a telephone freely. A primary catalyst for her escape was the husband's alleged plan to sell her to another man in exchange for money.

The rescue operation was coordinated by the Palermo Prosecutor's Office after the victim managed to contact her aunt in France via public Wi-Fi. The aunt then alerted Italian authorities. Upon her arrival, the woman's husband reportedly attempted to react violently against police officers to maintain control over her. He has been charged with domestic abuse and resisting a public official. The woman is currently in a protected facility.