A demonstration broke out following the passing of a man who repeatedly asked for assistance while authorities restrained him on the ground. Police clashed with protesters in Bologna, Italy, after Abderrahim Fakir’s demise on Sunday during an encounter initiated by reports of aggressive behavior and property damage. Local residents contacted police around noon due to erratic conduct.
Video circulated widely on social media, too disturbing for publication, indicates the 42-year-old man pleading for help as officers hold him down while ambulance personnel are nearby. The Moroccan-born businessman, residing in Italy since childhood, suffered from heart and asthma issues. Footage shows him gradually becoming motionless as officers secure his ankles.
Upon arrival, officers called for medical assistance and initially attempted to calm Fakir before using pepper spray and restraints while trying to handcuff him. Police informed ambulance staff he was experiencing a psychiatric episode.
An investigation has been opened into Mr. Fakir’s passing by prosecutors, who requested officers’ body camera recordings. Human rights advocates and Italy’s opposition parties have demanded swift explanations. Fakir’s sister, Khadija, expressed to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, “You should not die like this. The police are meant to safeguard us. When someone is agitated, they should be pacified.”
The incident incited protests across Bologna, with thousands rallying on Monday night bearing signs demanding “Justice for Fakir” and denouncing “State murders.” Demonstrators threw firecrackers near police facilities, prompting a response with tear gas and water cannons. Some held a sit-in at a city square displaying photos of Fakir.
The occurrence drew parallels to George Floyd’s death in the US six years ago, with some likening the restraint tactics to those employed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Donald Trump. Lawyer Barbara Spinelli, who met Fakir during his permit renewal, described him as a respectful individual concerned about potential expulsion.
Senator Ilaria Cucchi, who lost her brother in custody in 2009, expressed disgust at the solidarity shown to police after such a cruel act. She criticized the government for fostering a climate of violence through policies she deemed hateful and racist.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged an impartial investigation into Fakir’s passing but condemned the ensuing violence. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Piantedosi urged individuals making derogatory remarks against the police to reconsider their trust in law enforcement and the justice system.
