Protests have taken place in Italy after a Moroccan-born man died while being forcibly restrained by two police officers in the northern city of Bologna.
Protesters in Bologna, Italy, clashed with police on Monday night after the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born man who died while being restrained by officers. Prosecutors say 64 police were hurt in the unrest, with several thousand people gathering to demand justice for Abderrahim Fakir,
while a smaller group clashed with police into the night. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it was imperative that the truth surrounding his death should be investigated but nothing can justify violence against law enforcement.
The Incident and Aftermath
Fakir was restrained by two police officers and a third person who is not a policeman in the neighbourhood of Pilastro on Sunday after a neighbour witnessed him behaving erratically
and kicking garage doors. A video circulating in Italian media shows two policemen sitting on Fakir as he lies face down and cries out for them to stop, before the officers tie his wrists and ankles and, when one realises Fakir is no longer moving, slaps him twice on the cheek. By the time an ambulance worker approaches, it is clear Fakir is unconscious.
Fakir’s sister, Khadija, told Italian media, You can’t die like this. They killed him mercilessly, and I want the truth. His niece, Yossra Fakir, said, He was my uncle. He wasn't a number, he wasn't a news line… he was loved. He deserved to be helped and heard, and he deserved dignity.
Bologna mayor Matteo Lepore, who called for the demonstration in central Bologna, told Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper that anyone who watched the video was “shocked.” Prosecutors in Bologna have opened an investigation into manslaughter against the police officers and the medical workers who were present at the scene.
Several eyewitnesses told Italian media that while Fakir appeared to be in distress he did not threaten anybody and was clearly unarmed. The Secretary-General of the police union, Domenico Pianese, defended the officers’ actions, arguing the use of pepper spray and the need for the help of a civilian to restrain Fakir showed that the use of force had not been excessive, stating: Judging from the images we saw, the intervention was carried out correctly.
He also criticized Lepore for calling for a protest the day after a dramatic event like this one,
claiming it was like calling all the pseudo-anarchists and those who are anti-police… to take advantage and protest against the state.
Protests and Clashes
Several thousand people gathered in central Bologna to support Fakir’s family, but about 100 protesters clashed with police and set two cars alight. Lepore said he had seen two different squares
in Bologna: thousands of people gathered peacefully and spontaneously to express their support for Abderrahim Fakir's family
and a smaller group who think they can respond to violence with violence.
While the main demonstration on Monday night was peaceful, about 100 protesters clashed with police into the night and set two cars alight. Lepore said he had seen two different squares
in Bologna, highlighting the split between peaceful mourners and those who think they can respond to violence with violence.
Official Responses and Controversies
Prime Minister Meloni said it was imperative that the truth surrounding his death should be investigated but nothing can justify violence against law enforcement.
Prosecutors in Bologna have opened an investigation into manslaughter against the police officers and the medical workers who were present at the scene.
Fakir’s niece stated, He deserved to be helped and heard, and he deserved dignity.
The police union’s defense of the officers contrasted with the family’s call for the truth.
Domenico Pianese said the first thing the officers did after the incident was hand all [bodycam] footage to prosecutors.
Sources: cbc.ca.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
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