He was found when workers in the Italian port of Gioia Tauro heard strange noises coming from his container.
[citation needed] Forty-three-year-old Rizk was born in Egypt and had been a Canadian citizen for almost 20 years.
[2] He also carried a confirmed airline ticket for travel from Rome to Montreal (where he had family[2]), as well as an aircraft mechanic certificate and security passes for airports in Canada, Thailand and Egypt.
[4] Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, Rizk's story raised fears of a terrorist connection.
[5] According to his lawyer, he chose the container because he believed a hostile brother-in-law was attempting to prevent his departure from Egypt.