Italian 'George Floyd' Case: Moroccan Man Dies During Police Arrest

Controversy over excessive use of force is growing following the death of an Italian man of Moroccan descent during a police arrest.

As the incident coincides with public opposition to the Meloni government's anti-immigration policies, there are concerns that it could escalate into an Italian version of the George Floyd case.

According to reports from Reuters, AFP, and other news agencies on July 21 (local time), 42-year-old Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born Italian resident, died while being arrested by police in a suburb of Bologna on July 20.

Police had been dispatched to the scene following reports that Fakir was causing a disturbance and damaging vehicles, and they proceeded to subdue him.

Footage of the incident shared on social media shows two police officers pinning Fakir to the ground to make the arrest.

In the video, Fakir can be heard shouting, "Help me," and "I can't breathe," before he gradually stops moving.

Local media reported that police used pepper spray before attempting to handcuff Fakir as he resisted strongly.

The day after Fakir died, protests broke out in Bologna, with demonstrators alleging excessive use of force by the police.

Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, while protesters set up barricades with bicycles and threw glass bottles and chairs in retaliation.

During the clashes, 64 police officers were injured, and 6 police vehicles were burned or damaged.

Damage to private facilities was also reported, with windows of shops and banks being smashed.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a thorough investigation into the incident while also issuing a warning against the violent protests.

"It is essential to determine any responsibility with the utmost rigor," Meloni emphasized, adding, "The truth must be uncovered to the end, without prejudice or leniency."

She further criticized the protesters, stating, "Those who used this incident as a pretext to attack the police were not seeking the truth, but conflict."

Analysts suggest that the incident is intertwined with public opposition to the Meloni government's hardline immigration policies.

With the recent rise of the far-right party Brothers of Italy, which advocates for the deportation of foreigners, there is growing speculation that immigration policy will shift further to the right.

Although Fakir was born in Morocco, he was a legal resident who had moved to Italy as a child.

Bloomberg analyzed that "the incident is being compared to the 2020 death of George Floyd in the United States, which sparked global anti-racism protests."

Barbara Spinelli, the lawyer who helped Fakir obtain his permanent residency, stated, "In this case, questioning whether he was a legal resident or a good person seriously undermines the essence of the matter," adding, "He was a human being, and that alone is enough."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.