Fakir Abderrahim dies in handcuffs in Bologna: police officers and medical staff under investigat..

Details of the Incident

• The Arrest: On July 19, 2026, police were called to the Pilastro neighborhood in Bologna, northern Italy, after residents reported a man behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle.
• The Death: Bystander video footage widely shared on social media showed officers pinning Fakir face-down on the pavement while he desperately screamed for help and pleaded that he could not breathe. He subsequently lost consciousness and died at the scene. Reports indicate he may have been experiencing a psychiatric episode, panic, or an asthma attack.

Aftermath and Repercussions

• Protests: The incident has drawn strong comparisons to the 2020 killing of George Floyd in the United States. It sparked massive, widespread anti-police demonstrations and severe civil unrest in Italian cities like Bologna, Milan, and Turin.
• Investigations: Bologna prosecutors launched a manslaughter investigation. At least six people—including two police officers and four emergency medical crew members who stood by—have been placed under preliminary investigation.
• Diplomatic Action: Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially intervened, demanding that Italian authorities provide full clarity and establish strict legal responsibility for Fakir's death