'A profound tragedy': Protests in Italy over Moroccan's death

The Italian judiciary have launched an investigation into the police officers and paramedics present at the scene of Abderrahim Fakir's death [Getty/file photo]Italy's Moroccan community has demanded an independent investigation into the death of Abderrahim Fakir after police officers restrained the 42-year-old during an arrest in Bologna, with community leaders telling The New Arab the incident has left minorities feeling increasingly vulnerable and prompted calls for nationwide action. Thousands of demonstrators have since clashed with riot police across Bologna, demanding accountability over Fakir's death, which has sparked outrage across Italy and drawn comparisons to the killing of George Floyd in the United States. Footage from the protests showed crowds chanting "Murderers! Murderers!" at police while throwing objects including chairs. Riot officers responded with tear gas, water cannons and baton charges as they sought to disperse demonstrators. Several people were reportedly injured. Banners demanding justice and bearing Fakir's image have appeared across the northern city. Fakir, who was born in Morocco and had lived in Italy since the age of five, died after police responded to reports of a man allegedly behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle in Bologna's Pilastro neighbourhood. Video footage circulated by Italian media and on social media shows officers pinning Fakir face down on the ground while he repeatedly cries "Aiuto, aiuto, basta" ("Help, help, that's enough"). He can be heard gasping for air as two officers restrain him, another grips his ankles, and two paramedics stand nearby without intervening. Fakir, who reportedly suffered from asthma and heart problems and ran a removals and cleaning business, eventually stops moving before officers bind his hands and feet. Witnesses accused police of beating Fakir to death despite him being unarmed and posing no threat. 'Deep sorrow' among Italy's Moroccan community "Abderrahim's death is a profound tragedy that has shaken our communities and raises extremely serious questions that demand immediate and transparent answers," Adil Lasry, president of Associazione Lavoratori Marocchini, told The New Arab. Italy is home to almost half a million people of Moroccan origin, one of the country's largest migrant communities. "The Moroccan community is reacting with deep sorrow, yet also with great firmness and civic maturity," Lasry said, adding that Moroccan organisations, trade unions and local groups had called for a regional strike, a public assembly in Bologna on Wednesday and a series of peaceful demonstrations. While stressing it was "crucial" not to speculate over whether Fakir's death was racially motivated, Lasry said it was "undeniable" that minority and migrant communities were becoming increasingly concerned by "certain operational methods used by law enforcement" and a growing sense of vulnerability. He said it would be up to the judiciary to determine whether officers had acted disproportionately or whether racism had played a role. Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the police officers involved, as well as the paramedics present at the scene. "We strongly call for a rigorous, impartial and independent judicial investigation to establish full accountability, including that of the medical responders present at the scene," Lasry said. He added that he hoped Fakir's death would not be dismissed as an isolated incident, but instead prompt a national debate on restraint techniques, police accountability and human rights protections. The calls for justice have been echoed by Fakir's family. "Our son was dear to us, and they killed him. We won't forgive them. They killed him like a dog; they executed him whilst he was still alive. Why would they do that to him?" his mother told Moroccan media. His niece, Yossra, told mourners in Bologna: "Abderrahim deserved help, dignity and respect." Fakir's death has drawn comparisons from campaigners and social media users to the killing of George Floyd, the Black American whose murder by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020 sparked worldwide protests against police brutality and racism. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for a full investigation while condemning the violence that accompanied some demonstrations. "It is essential that any responsibilities be ascertained with the utmost rigour," she wrote on X. "The truth must be pursued thoroughly, without prejudice and without leniency toward anyone." She added that those who had used the incident "as a pretext to lay waste to the city, attack officers and spread violence... were not seeking the truth: they were seeking confrontation". Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini seemingly backed the officers involved, saying he was confident the judiciary would establish the facts and warning against what he described as "mud-slinging" before the investigation concludes.