A large protest took place in Bologna to demand justice for a Moroccan man who died during police arrest. However, the protest turned violent, with over 60 police officers injured in clashes.
Foreign news agencies reported on 21 Jul 2026 that violent protests broke out in Bologna, northern Italy, demanding justice for Abderrahim Fakhir, a Moroccan man who died while being detained by police. Clashes with police resulted in more than 60 officers being injured.
On 19 Jul, Fakhir, who had lived in Italy for over 30 years, died after two police officers used force to subdue him and pressed him to the ground following reports that he was acting strangely and kicking a garage door.
What sparked public outrage was a video later released showing two police officers pressing Fakhir face down on the ground, with civilians holding his legs and paramedics standing by. Fakhir pleaded for them to stop before losing consciousness, but the police kept his wrists and ankles bound and slapped his cheeks twice before he was found unconscious.
The footage led thousands of people to march in Bologna demanding justice. Initially peaceful, about 100 protesters broke away to clash with police and set cars on fire, causing chaos and injuring 64 police officers.
The Bologna prosecutor has opened an investigation into the police officers and medical staff present, charging them with involuntary manslaughter.
Meanwhile, Fakhir’s family and eyewitnesses insisted he was unarmed, posed no threat, and deserved assistance rather than violence, calling for the truth to be revealed.
Matteo Lepore, mayor of Bologna, expressed shock at the video and supported peaceful protests but condemned those who resorted to violence.
The police union countered that officers followed proper procedures, citing the use of pepper spray and civilian assistance as evidence that force was not excessive. They criticized the mayor, saying his support for protests gave anti-government groups a chance to cause unrest.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need for a thorough investigation but stated, "Nothing can justify violence against law enforcement officers."
The opposition criticized the government for blindly defending the police, comparing this case to previous incidents of torture and death during police custody, and accused Meloni’s right-wing faction of attempting to introduce ICE-style immigration enforcement practices into Italy.
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Source:bbc