Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born entrepreneur living in Bologna, Italy, died on July 19, 2026, while police officers restrained him during an attempted arrest in the Pilastro neighborhood [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Police responded after reports that Fakir was behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Local footage filmed by a resident shows Fakir lying face down, struggling to breathe as two officers restrained him on the ground; he calls for help and repeatedly says "enough" before falling silent [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Police used pepper spray and restrained Fakir by holding him down and handcuffing him; they tied his ankles shortly after he stopped moving but only checked for vital signs after that [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Authorities said Fakir had heart disease and asthma and was reportedly experiencing a psychiatric crisis before his death [3, 4, 5]. Police stated he was suffering a psychiatric episode and behaved erratically prior to the intervention [3, 4, 5].
Bologna prosecutors opened an investigation under a new legal procedure and requested bodycam footage from the officers involved [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Hundreds protested in Bologna on July 19 and 20, chanting anti-police slogans and kneeling with raised fists in gestures linked to Black Lives Matter [1, 2, 3, 5]. The second protest, held in central Bologna, was organized by Mayor Matteo Lepore and supported by the Cgil trade union and left-wing groups [1, 2, 4]. Some demonstrations escalated with clashes between police and protesters, leading to police deploying tear gas and water cannons against crowds throwing fireworks [3, 5].
Fakir’s family described him as a kind, polite man who had lived legally in Italy since childhood but feared deportation. His sister Khadija Fakir said, "They killed my brother in cold blood, I want justice" [1, 3, 4, 5]. Lawyer Barbara Spinelli added, "He was a kind, polite, respectful person. He had been living legally in Italy since he was a child, but he feared being deported" [4].
The right-wing government coalition, including Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and the Brothers of Italy party, defended the police officers' conduct while calling for a rigorous investigation [1, 2, 3, 5]. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi criticized those insulting the police, saying such people "do not trust law enforcement or the judicial system" and should first understand what happened [3].
Opposition politicians accused the government of fostering hostility and sought to prevent the adoption of U.S.-style policing tactics. Centre-left legislator Francesco Boccia said, "If the right wing wants to bring the ICE model to Italy, they are in the wrong place. We have democratic antibodies" [2]. Senator Ilaria Cucchi condemned the external support for police involved in "such an inhumane event," calling it "disgusting" [3].
Authorities continue to gather evidence as the investigation unfolds, with prosecutors awaiting the police bodycam footage requested on July 20 [1, 2, 4].
