The European Parliament took a step as of March 9 touching on the general violation of human rights in prisons and, advised European Union countries to stop aid to Egypt due to rights violations and torture. The recommendation was made upon the recent discovery of young Italian journalist Giulio Regeni's body along the Cairo-Alexandria desert road. He had not been heard from since he left his home on January 25, the fifth anniversary of the Egyptian revolution. It was reported that Regeni's body was covered in signs of torture such as blows, bruises and burning.