A man died in Bologna, Italy, while being restrained by police during an attempted arrest. The incident, captured on video, has led to street protests and an investigation by prosecutors.
The death of Abderrahim Fakir during a police arrest has ignited public anger and protests in Italy, raising questions about police conduct and accountability, and drawing responses from across the political spectrum.
A man died in Bologna, Italy, on Sunday while being restrained by police during an attempted arrest, an incident captured on video that has prompted street protests and an investigation by prosecutors.
Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born entrepreneur, died after police were called to a scene where he was reportedly behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle. Video footage shows officers holding Fakir face down on the ground, with him repeatedly calling for help before his movements stopped. Temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius at the time.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in protest, chanting anti-police slogans and adopting gestures associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. Fakir's sister stated he was "killed in cold blood" and demanded justice.
Another protest was scheduled for Monday, backed by the city's mayor and trade unions. While the governing League party called for a thorough investigation, they also defended the officers, stating they were "doing their duty" at the request of citizens.