Trailblazing African-Italian Lawyer Vanishes During Casablanca Layover, Sparking International Search

Where is Denise Zacosongo? The Italian lawyer of Burkinabe origin disappeared during a stopover in Casablanca on August 19 current, while traveling from Italy to Burkina Faso to visit her family, reports CataniaToday. The former deputy director of the Mineo reception center, the largest reception center for asylum seekers in Europe, had left Italy for Casablanca, where she was to take a second flight to Burkina Faso where her family of origin lives.

The Italian Consulate General in Casablanca and the Italian Embassy in Rabat are following the case "with the greatest interest since the first moment," said the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to them, services have maintained permanent contacts with her husband Renato Farina, a radiologist at the Policlinico hospital in Catania. There is also coordination with the Moroccan authorities to obtain any information about her as soon as possible, adds the same source.

Renato Farina has filed an official complaint with the Italian police. He has issued a public appeal to anyone with information on the whereabouts of his wife Denise. The lawyer’s family has also invited anyone with information to contact the Italian or Burkinabe police.