Death of 42-Year-Old Moroccan During Police Intervention Sparks Protests in Bologna, Injuring 64 Officers

The death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old of Moroccan origin, during a police intervention has sparked protests and violent clashes in Bologna, Italy, leaving dozens of officers injured.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the Pilastro neighborhood after a resident alerted police that Fakir was behaving erratically and banging on garage doors. Authorities said officers initially tried to calm him down before using pepper spray to subdue him.

A video broadcast by Italian media shows two police officers sitting on top of Fakir as he lies face down on the ground and repeatedly asks them to stop.

The footage also shows a civilian holding his legs while ambulance personnel wait near the scene of the intervention. About two minutes later, Fakir stops resisting and loses consciousness. Officers handcuff his hands and feet before realizing that he is unresponsive.

Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the police officers and medical personnel who were at the scene. Bologna prosecutors are examining whether the force used by the officers and the actions of healthcare personnel contributed to the 42-year-old’s death.

Eyewitnesses told Italian media that Fakir was in a distressed state but was unarmed and posed no threat to anyone.

“You cannot die this way. They killed him mercilessly, and I want the truth,” said his sister, Khadija Fakir.

On Monday evening, thousands of people gathered in central Bologna under the slogan “Justice for Abderrahim Fakir.” The rally began peacefully, but around 100 demonstrators later clashed with police and set fire to two vehicles. Authorities reported that 64 police officers were injured in the unrest.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the truth to be established about the circumstances in which Fakir lost his life. However, she stressed that “nothing can justify violence against law enforcement.”

Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore described the video of the incident as shocking. He also organized a rally in solidarity with the victim’s family, where Fakir’s niece, Yossra, said her uncle “deserved help, to be heard and to be treated with dignity.”

Responding after the clashes, Lepore said that the vast majority of participants had gathered peacefully to stand with the family. According to him, the violence was caused by a small group of protesters.

Meanwhile, Domenico Pianese, secretary-general of the Italian police union, defended the officers. He said that, based on the footage made public, the intervention had been carried out in accordance with procedures. Pianese also criticized the decision to organize the protest immediately after the incident, arguing that the rally gave radical groups an opportunity to clash with police.

The investigation into Abderrahim Fakir’s death is continuing. To fully establish what happened, authorities are also expected to review footage from the officers’ body cameras.