A protest broke out following the passing of a man who pleaded for assistance while being restrained by officers on the ground. Police clashed with demonstrators in Bologna, Italy, after Abderrahim Fakir passed away on Sunday during a police intervention prompted by reports of his aggressive behavior and property damage. Local residents had called the police around midday due to his erratic conduct.
Video footage widely circulated on social media, deemed too distressing to be published by the Mirror, shows the 42-year-old man repeatedly shouting for help as two officers hold him down while paramedics are nearby. The Moroccan-born businessman, a resident of Italy since childhood, suffered from heart issues and asthma. The video suggests he became unresponsive as his ankles were bound by the officers.
Upon their arrival, officers alerted paramedics and first attempted to calm Fakir down before using pepper spray and restraining him in the process of handcuffing him. Allegedly, police informed the paramedics that he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Following Mr. Fakir’s death, prosecutors have launched an investigation and sought body camera footage from the officers. Human rights advocates and opposition parties in Italy have called for immediate clarification.
His sister, Khadija, expressed to the Corriere della Sera newspaper: “No one should die this way. The police are meant to ensure our safety. When someone is agitated, they should be pacified.”
The incident led to protests across Bologna on Monday evening, with numerous demonstrators demanding “Justice for Fakir” and condemning “State murders.” Some protesters threw firecrackers near police facilities, prompting officers to respond with tear gas and water cannons. Others staged a peaceful sit-in at a city square, displaying pictures of Fakir, as reported by the Ansa news agency.
This event has drawn parallels to George Floyd’s tragic death in the United States six years ago, with critics linking the restraint techniques to those used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration.
Barbara Spinelli, an attorney, revealed her previous encounter with Fakir during his application to renew his residency permit. She described him as a courteous, well-mannered individual who was legally residing in Italy but feared deportation.
Ilaria Cucchi, a senator who lost her brother in police custody in 2009, expressed disgust at the supportive gestures extended to the police following what she described as an “inhumane act.”
Francesco Boccia, leader of the Democratic Party (PD) in the Senate, criticized the government for fostering a climate of violence through their policies tainted with hatred and racism.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni assured a thorough investigation into Fakir’s demise while condemning the subsequent violence that erupted.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Piantedosi emphasized the importance of respecting law enforcement and the justice system, condemning any disparaging remarks towards the police.
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