On Monday night in Bologna, Italy, the death of Abderrahim Fakir—a Moroccan‑born logistics‑manager—while being restrained by police sparked thousands of protestors demanding justice and an investigation into the officers’ conduct.
The incident began when a neighbour reported Fakir behaving erratically and kicking at bedroom doors. Police arrived, attempted to calm him, and eventually used pepper spray. Footage showed two officers sitting on the man’s back as he screamed for them to stop, a third officer pinning his legs, and the officers later tying his wrists and ankles before slapping him.
By the time an ambulance arrived, Fakir was unconscious. Prosecutors opened a manslaughter inquiry that includes the two officers and the medical staff on site. In the aftermath, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence but called for a thorough investigation.
The city’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, organized a demonstration that night. While the main crowd spoke peacefully, about 100 demonstrators clashed with police, setting two cars on fire. Officials stated that the unrest revealed “two different squares” in the city.
Police unions defended the officers’ actions, claiming the use of pepper spray and a civilian restraint were necessary, while critics pointed to similar cases such as the 2009 death of Stefano Cucchi. Opposition politicians and civil‑rights groups decried what they described as a “short‑sighted” support for police amid the incident.
