born man while being forcibly restrained by two police officers in the northern city of Bologna.
News
Several thousand people took to the streets on Monday night demanding “justice for Abderrahim Fakir”.
A smaller group then splintered off and clashed with police into the night. Prosecutors say 64 police were hurt in the unrest.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it was imperative that the truth surrounding his death should be investigated but “nothing can justify violence against law enforcement”.
Details
Police had been called on Sunday morning after a neighbour witnessed Fakir “behaving erratically” and kicking garage doors in the working class neighbourhood of Pilastro. The officers tried to calm the situation but then used pepper spray.
A video circulating on Italian media shows two policemen sitting on Fakir as he lies face down and cries out for them to stop. A third person who is not a policeman pins his legs down as emergency workers stand by.
About two minutes into the video, Fakir stops struggling. The police officers tie his wrists and ankles and, when one of them realises Fakir is no longer moving, slaps him twice on the cheek. By the time an ambulance worker approaches, it is clear Fakir is unconscious.
Analysis
Prosecutors in Bologna have opened an investigation into manslaughter against the police officers and the medical workers who were present at the scene.
Several eyewitnesses told Italian media that while Fakir appeared to be in distress he did not threaten anybody and was clearly unarmed.
“You can’t die like this,” his sister Khadija told Italian media. “They killed him mercilessly, and I want the truth.”
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