Protests erupted in Bologna, Italy, following the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born man who died while being forcibly restrained by two police officers. The incident occurred in the working-class Pilastro neighborhood on Sunday morning, after police were called due to Fakir "behaving erratically" and kicking garage doors.

Several thousand people gathered on Monday night demanding "justice for Abderrahim Fakir," with a smaller group breaking off and clashing with police. Prosecutors reported that 64 police officers were injured during the unrest.

Bologna's mayor, Matteo Lepore, described the scene as two distinct groups: one peacefully supporting Fakir's family, and another that "think they can respond to violence with violence." He also called for a demonstration in central Bologna and invited Fakir's niece to join him on stage.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Fakir's death but condemned violence against law enforcement, stating, "nothing can justify violence against law enforcement."

Fakir's family expressed their grief, with Yossra Fakir saying, "He wasn't a number, he wasn't a news line... he was loved."

Some protest signs referenced other notable cases of deaths in police custody, including Stefano Cucchi, who died in 2009 after six days in police detention.

Sources