Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born man who had lived in Bologna, northern Italy, for over 30 years, died after being restrained by police officers, reigniting debate over police accountability in Italy.

Footage filmed shortly after 12:30pm local time on Sunday, July 20th, 2026, shows two Italian police officers and a civilian restraining Fakir on the ground. Four Italian Red Cross volunteers arrived with an ambulance and stood nearby, but paramedics only realized Fakir had lost consciousness after the restraint ended.

Fabio Anselmo, the lawyer representing Fakir’s family, urged the public to closely examine the video during a July 21 news conference in the Italian Senate hosted by Senator Ilaria Cucchi. Anselmo, who has represented families in similar cases for nearly 30 years, noted that the European Court of Human Rights has previously condemned Italy for such incidents.

He referenced a January 2026 ruling concerning Riccardo Magherini, who died in Florence in 2014 after police restrained him face down. The court found Italy violated Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, stating authorities failed to prove that maintaining Magherini in that position was "absolutely necessary."

The death of Fakir has prompted widespread anger and renewed scrutiny of Italy’s policing and legal reforms. Police reported that 64 officers were injured during unrest following the incident and that Bologna’s historic centre suffered extensive damage.

This case has become emblematic of Italy’s broader struggle with police accountability and the use of force.

Sources