Protests erupt in Italy after man dies while being restrained by police

Italian prosecutors have launched a manslaughter investigation following the death of a Moroccan-born man who died while being restrained by police in the northern city of Bologna, an incident that has triggered widespread protests and renewed debate over police conduct in the country.

The victim, identified as Abderrahim Fakir, died on Sunday after two police officers attempted to restrain him in the working-class neighbourhood of Pilastro. Authorities said officers had responded to reports that Fakir was behaving erratically and kicking garage doors before trying to calm the situation.

Video footage that has since circulated widely across Italian media appears to show two officers pinning Fakir face down on the ground while a civilian held down his legs. During the struggle, Fakir can be heard repeatedly pleading with officers to stop. After several minutes, he stopped moving and appeared to lose consciousness before emergency responders attempted to assist him.

The incident has prompted prosecutors in Bologna to open a manslaughter investigation involving the two police officers and the medical personnel who were present at the scene. Authorities say the inquiry will determine whether the actions of those involved contributed to Fakir’s death.

The tragedy sparked outrage across Bologna on Monday night as several thousand demonstrators marched through the city demanding justice for Fakir and greater accountability from law enforcement.

While the main protest remained peaceful, a smaller group later broke away and clashed with riot police. Protesters reportedly set two vehicles ablaze and threw objects at officers, leaving 64 police officers injured, according to prosecutors.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence but stressed that Fakir’s death must be fully investigated.

“It is imperative that the truth surrounding his death is established,” Meloni said, adding that “nothing can justify violence against law enforcement.”

Fakir’s family has rejected the official account of events and called for a transparent investigation.

“You can’t die like this,” his sister, Khadija Fakir, told Italian media. “They killed him mercilessly, and I want the truth.”

Several eyewitnesses also claimed Fakir was visibly distressed but posed no threat and was unarmed at the time of the incident.

Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore described the widely circulated footage as “shocking” and attended the demonstration in support of Fakir’s family.

Speaking before thousands of protesters, Fakir’s niece, Yossra Fakir, delivered an emotional tribute to her uncle.

“He wasn’t a number. He wasn’t just another headline. He was loved,” she said. “He deserved to be helped and heard, and he deserved dignity.”

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Despite supporting the peaceful demonstration, Lepore condemned the violence that followed, saying the city had witnessed “two different protests”—one made up of thousands seeking justice peacefully and another involving a small group intent on confrontation.

The unrest has also exposed growing political divisions over policing in Italy.

Police union leader Domenico Pianese defended the officers involved, arguing that the use of force appeared proportionate given the circumstances. He noted that officers had used pepper spray and required assistance from a civilian to restrain Fakir, insisting they had immediately handed over body camera footage to investigators.

Opposition politicians, however, accused the government of rushing to defend the police before the investigation had concluded. Some demonstrators compared Fakir’s death to previous high-profile deaths in police custody, including that of Stefano Cucchi, whose 2009 death became a symbol of demands for police accountability in Italy.

(BBC News)