Moroccan man's death in Italian police custody sparks protests in Bologna

Protests erupted in Bologna after 42-year-old Abderrahim Fakir died while being restrained by police, sparking a political firestorm over police tactics and immigration policies in Italy.

What happened

Fakir, a Moroccan-born entrepreneur who moved to Italy at age five, died on Sunday after police responded to reports of a man behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle Source: BBC. Video footage shows two officers sitting on Fakir as he lies face down, repeatedly calling out "aiuto, aiuto, basta" (help, help, enough) before falling still Source: Euronews. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter against the two officers and four emergency medical workers Source: CNN. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, and police have provided bodycam footage to investigators Source: DW.

Protests and reactions

Thousands gathered in central Bologna on Monday, with a splinter group clashing with police, setting cars alight, and throwing firecrackers Source: BBC. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, and reported 56 officers injured Source: Al Jazeera. The protest was called by Mayor Matteo Lepore, who later condemned the violence as "blind, unjustified, and senseless" Source: CNN. Fakir's sister Khadija told Italian media: "They killed him mercilessly, and I want the truth" Source: BBC. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2020 killing of George Floyd in the US .