Egypt detains Italian journalist at Cairo airport

Francesca Borri was held for questioning at the airport shortly after arriving from Italy, according to media reports.

"They [Egyptian authorities] are running some checks. She was blocked inside due to some verifications on her passport due to a stamp from a country they are investigating," Antonio Decaro, the mayor of the journalist's hometown of Bari, told Italian media.

"We hope that in a couple of hours everything will be resolved," he added.

Decaro said that an official from the Italian consulate in Cairo was with the journalist inside the room where she was being held. 

The Italian embassy in Egypt said they are following the case closely.

Diplomatic sources told RaiNews that the Italian consul had headed to the airport to assist Borri.

Since anti-government protests erupted on 20 September, several foreigners have been detained, released and deported amid an unprecedented crackdown in which more than 2,900 people have been arrested.