A 42-year-old Moroccan-born man died in Bologna, Italy, after police restrained him during an encounter on July 19, sparking nationwide protests and a renewed debate over police accountability. The incident, captured in a video showing Fakir screaming for help while tied up, has drawn comparisons to George Floyd’s death in the U.S.
Abderrahim Fakir, who had lived in Bologna for over three decades, was restrained by two officers and a civilian before being left unattended for minutes, according to a video released by his lawyers. The footage, filmed from a nearby balcony, shows Fakir on the ground, screaming, while four Red Cross volunteers arrived but did not immediately intervene. I ask you to listen very carefully to that video,
said Fabio Anselmo, Fakir’s lawyer, during a Senate hearing. When the officers stand up, Fakir may still be alive. Yet no one attempts to help him.
A Video That Shook Italy
The 6-minute-and-56-second video, recorded shortly after 12:30 p.m. local time, became a focal point for the investigation. It shows Fakir, who had been reported as behaving violently,
being restrained with zip ties before being left motionless. The Bologna police stated they responded to reports of a person behaving violently
and that medical personnel were present during the restraint. However, the video contradicts this, with Fakir’s ankles secured and no immediate attempt to rouse him.
Meno di un minuto per i primi soccorsi ed era ancora vivo,
a source told tg24.sky.it, citing that emergency services arrived within a minute but found Fakir unconscious. The Red Cross later clarified that volunteers had performed CPR and used a defibrillator, though these actions were not visible in the initial video. The rianimazione avviene mentre è ancora legato,
Anselmo said, emphasizing that Fakir was still tied up during resuscitation efforts.
Legal and Political Fallout
The case has reignited Italy’s long-standing debate over police accountability, with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) previously condemning the country for similar incidents. In January 2026, the ECHR ruled against Italy in the case of Riccardo Magherini, who died in 2014 after being restrained face-down. The court found that authorities had failed to prove the restraint was absolutely necessary.
Protests and Public Outrage
My brother wasn’t an animal.
He was a father, a worker, a good man.
Why did they do this to him?
Fakir’s sister asked during a press conference, holding a photograph of her brother. The family has called for justice, not revenge, while activists demand systemic reforms. We want people to know who he was,
she said.
The Autopsy and Ongoing Investigations
Prosecutors have ordered an autopsy, scheduled for Friday, 2026, to determine the exact cause of death. The examination will involve experts including a forensic pathologist, a toxicologist, and a cardiologist.
A Nation on Edge
The case has exposed deep tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities in Italy. While police claim they followed protocols, critics argue that the use of force and delayed medical intervention reflect systemic failures. The European Court of Human Rights has already condemned Italy,
Anselmo said, referencing the 2026 ruling.
As the investigation continues, the question remains: Will Fakir’s death lead to meaningful reform, or will it fade into another tragic chapter in Italy’s unresolved police accountability crisis? For now, his family and supporters demand answers, while the nation grapples with the painful reality of a man’s final moments captured on video.
Sources: aljazeera.com.
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