Massive protests in Bologna after 42-year-old Moroccan man dies during police arrest

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

The incident occurred on Sunday in Bologna’s Pilastro neighborhood. Police were alerted by a resident who reported that Fakir was behaving erratically and hitting garage doors. According to the police account, officers initially tried to calm him down and then used pepper spray to restrain him.

A video published by Italian media shows two police officers sitting on top of Fakir as he lies face down, repeatedly asking them to stop.

The footage also shows a civilian holding his legs while ambulance personnel wait nearby as the intervention unfolds. About two minutes later, Fakir stops resisting and loses consciousness. The officers handcuff his hands and feet before realizing that he is no longer responding.

Several people who witnessed the incident told Italian media that Fakir was in a distressed state, but was not threatening anyone and did not have a weapon.

Prosecutors have opened an involuntary manslaughter investigation into the police officers and medical workers who were at the scene. Bologna prosecutors are examining whether the force used by the officers and the actions of the medical personnel played a role in the 42-year-old’s death.

On Monday evening, thousands of citizens gathered in central Bologna, chanting “justice for Abderrahim Fakir.” The protest began peacefully, but around 100 demonstrators later clashed with police and set fire to two vehicles. Authorities said that 64 police officers were injured in the unrest.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the truth about the circumstances surrounding Fakir’s death must be brought to light. However, she stressed that “nothing can justify violence against law enforcement officers.”

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

Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore also described the video of the incident as shocking and organized a solidarity gathering with the victim’s family. During the protest, Fakir’s niece, Yossra, also spoke, declaring that her uncle “deserved help, to be heard and to be treated with dignity.”

After the incidents, Lepore said that the overwhelming majority of participants had gathered peacefully to express their support for the family. According to him, the clashes were provoked by a small group that chose to use violence.

Meanwhile, Domenico Pianese, secretary-general of Italy’s police union, defended the officers. He said that, based on the publicly released footage, the intervention had been carried out in accordance with procedure. Pianese also criticized the decision to organize the protest immediately after the incident, arguing that the gathering created an opportunity for radical groups to clash with police.

The investigation into Abderrahim Fakir’s death is ongoing. To fully establish the circumstances of the incident, authorities are also expected to examine recordings from the officers’ body cameras.