Violent riots and clashes erupted Monday night in the streets of Bologna in northern Italy following the death of Abdelrahim Faqir, a Moroccan citizen who died during a police arrest on Sunday. Thousands took to the streets demanding justice, but the protest quickly turned into a violent battleground when a group of about 100 rioters confronted police, threw objects, and set vehicles on fire. During the riots, 64 local police officers were injured.
1+The incident that sparked the riots occurred Sunday morning after neighbors called police about Faqir’s unusual behavior—he was kicking garage doors in the Pilastro neighborhood. Officers who arrived at the scene tried to calm the situation and used pepper spray. Footage circulated in Italian media shows two officers sitting on Faqir while he lay on his stomach screaming for help, as a third person held his legs. After about two minutes, Faqir stopped moving, and the officers handcuffed his hands and feet.
Following Faqir’s death, prosecutors in Bologna opened a homicide investigation against the officers and medical personnel who were at the scene. Eyewitnesses told media that Faqir was agitated but didn’t threaten anyone and was unarmed. His sister, Khadija, told local media that the officers killed him mercilessly and that the family demands to know the truth. Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore expressed deep shock at the footage and called for Monday evening’s protest rally, where Faqir’s niece, Yousra, spoke and said her uncle was a beloved man who deserved help and dignified treatment.
1+Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed the events and stressed that the truth surrounding Faqir’s death must be investigated, but made clear that nothing can justify violence against law enforcement. Meanwhile, police union secretary-general Domenico Pianese sharply criticized Mayor Lepore’s decision to call for the demonstration, which he said quickly deteriorated into violent riots and serious injury to dozens of officers who were trying to maintain public order.