Abderrahim Fakir, 42, Dies After Bologna Police Restraint as Italy Protests
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Abderrahim Fakir, 42, Dies After Bologna Police Restraint as Italy Protests
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Summary
Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan man, died Sunday in Bologna after two police officers and a civilian held him on the ground, according to video verified by The New York Times.
Bologna police said officers were responding to reports of a person in a violent rage and car damage, and that citizens helped them subdue him before he died.
Hundreds of people protested in Bologna that night, waving Moroccan flags and denouncing police violence and racism as the case drew comparisons in Italy to George Floyd's 2020 killing.
Two investigations are now focusing on both the police restraint and the emergency response, after an ambulance arrived at 12:17 p.m. and a doctor and nurse pronounced Fakir dead at 12:53 p.m.
A man died while restrained by police. Did the force used or a 23-minute medical delay seal his fate?
A European court just condemned police tactics. Will this ruling change the outcome for a similar death in Italy?
Abderrahim Fakir’s Death in Bologna: Legal Proceedings, Police Restraint Controversy, and Divided Public Response
Overview
On July 20, 2026, Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan man, died in Bologna after being restrained by Italian police, who reportedly used pepper spray and held him face down with his wrists and ankles bound while emergency medical workers were present. The next day, a criminal investigation was formally opened, focusing on the circumstances of his death. This incident sparked widespread protests and strong political reactions, highlighting concerns about police use of force and accountability. The ongoing investigation is reviewing body camera footage and autopsy results to determine the next legal steps.