The European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution on Thursday recommending the suspension of military aid and assistance to Egypt in light of the “abduction, savage torture and killing” of Italian doctoral student Giulio Regeni in Cairo. The resolution was passed by a majority of EU member states, with 558 voting in favor, 10 against and 59 abstentions. The European Parliament emphasised Regeni’s murder “is not an isolated accident,” but took place in the context of an increase in unlawful practices in Egypt — reports of torture, forced disappearances and the deaths of detainees in police custody. This motion isn’t binding for member states, according to the spokesperson for the EU office in Cairo, Rasha Serry, who added that the EU Parliament is a sovereign entity that practices its right to vote on such resolutions. (Mada Masr)