BOLOGNA, Italy — The death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan man who had lived most of his life in Italy, has sparked widespread debate over police conduct and immigration policy in the country. Fakir died on July 19 after an incident in the Pilastro neighborhood of Bologna, where witnesses reported seeing him calling for help while lying on the ground. Police officers arrived on the scene following a call about a man reportedly in a violent rage. However, neighbors contest this characterization, stating that Fakir was not acting aggressively.
Video footage from the incident shows Fakir lying at the bottom of a stairway, calling out for help and appearing distressed. Two police officers were seen speaking with him before moving him down an alley where a physical confrontation with another civilian occurred. Police subsequently restrained Fakir on the ground. According to Fakir’s family lawyer, the officers attempted to calm him throughout. In contrast, the officers’ defense lawyer said Fakir engaged in a scuffle with civilians prior to being subdued and that officers followed newly established Italian protocols for restraining noncooperative individuals.
During the restraint, video evidence depicts one officer pressing Fakir’s head face down into the street while another controlled his hands, with a civilian pinning his feet. The footage shows Fakir struggling and calling for help before becoming silent. Emergency medical personnel were present but did not intervene until after Fakir had ceased movement. He was pronounced dead upon the arrival of additional medical responders.
Fakir’s background is complex. He arrived in Italy from Morocco as a child in 1990 and was granted permission to stay but never citizenship. He served time for drug offenses as a teenager and struggled to renew his residency permit, which expired after a brief marriage to an Italian woman ended. He later remarried in Morocco. Friends and lawyers report Fakir experienced panic attacks and stress related to his permit renewal and business difficulties.
The death has reignited national tensions around immigration, policing, and racial profiling. Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and leader of a far-right party, expressed support for the police officers, saying they acted according to protocol and deserved protection. Critics argue Fakir’s death illustrates systemic biases against immigrants. A 2024 United Nations-appointed group of legal experts noted that racial profiling remains a persistent issue in Italy, despite official government denials.
Protests erupted in Bologna the day after Fakir’s death, with demonstrators rallying against perceived police brutality. Clashes with riot police resulted in tear gas deployment and injuries to 64 officers, as well as damage to property. Fakir’s family condemned the violence, emphasizing their grief and calling for peaceful responses.
The incident has highlighted broader societal debates in Italy, where immigration is a divisive topic. Many migrants, including second-generation residents like Fakir, face legal and social challenges, including issues related to citizenship and integration. The case continues to draw attention amid ongoing discussions about law enforcement practices and the treatment of foreign-born residents in Italy. Authorities are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding Fakir’s death and the conduct of both police officers and emergency responders.