Key facts
- Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan businessman who had lived in Italy for 36 years, died after being restrained by police in Bologna.
- Fakir was reportedly struggling with business difficulties and feared expulsion from Italy.
- Viral videos showed police officers restraining Fakir by sitting on him for several minutes.
- The incident occurred amid a broader European debate on migration, with politicians and media focusing on Fakir's migrant status and past convictions.
- Sociologists and refugee agencies argue that the political discourse dehumanizes migrants, hindering constructive responses.
The death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan businessman who had lived in Italy for 36 years, has become a focal point in the contentious European migration debate. Fakir died after being restrained by police in Bologna, with viral footage showing officers pinning him to the ground. While right-wing media and some politicians focused on his migrant status and past drug convictions, interviews with his family, lawyer, and friends reveal a man struggling with business problems and the fear of expulsion.
Fakir, who owned a small metalworking firm and had to lay off eight of his 12 employees, was reportedly trying to resolve issues with his Italian residence permit after an extended stay in Morocco. His lawyer stated he was terrified of being sent back to his home country. Sociologists argue that the political discourse often dehumanizes migrants, making it easier to address the issue without human considerations.
Following the incident, Bologna's mayor called for accountability, but the event quickly became politicized, with accusations of racism and police brutality exchanged between political factions. Investigations into the officers involved and the circumstances of Fakir's death are ongoing, with an autopsy pending. His family expressed trust in the justice system to reveal the truth.