ROME (AP) — The parents of an Italian doctoral student killed in Cairo have dismissed the explanation provided by Egyptian authorities about their son's death.

Egypt says that Giulio Regeni fell victim to robbers but his parents are discounting that version of events, arguing that many of the items claimed to belong to their son weren't his.

The 28-year-old labor researcher disappeared on the Jan. 25 anniversary of the 2011 uprising. His body was found nine days later. Family lawyer Alessandra Ballerini revealed Tuesday an Italian autopsy determined he died Feb. 1 or 2 after "protracted torture."

Meeting media at the Senate in Rome, Giulio's parents, Paola and Claudio Regeni, also pressed the Italian government to declare Egypt "unsafe" for tourists following their son's death.