Death of Abderrahum Fakir to be investigated under new “criminal shield” procedure presuming officers acted in line of duty

~ Gabriel Fonten ~

A mass demonstration in central Bologna, Italy led to riots late on Monday, following the death of a man at the hands of police.

Abderrahim Fakir, 42, a Moroccan resident of Sasso Marconi, was killed in Pilastro after being stopped and handcuffed. A video of his final moments, ⁠widely shared on social media, shows him face down on the ground while two officers restrain him. He can be heard calling for help and saying he could not breathe before his movements gradually stop.

The investigation into Fakir’s death is the first to be opened under the so-called “criminal shield” introduced by the government’s recent security decree, whereby officers are presumed to have acted in the line of duty.

Monday’s protest in Bologna drew thousands of people from all walks of life. “We are not here to ask for hatred, we are not here to ask for revenge. We are here to demand truth, justice, respect and humanity”, said the victim’s niece, Yossra Fakir.

The demonstration headed toward the police prefecture, where it was met with batons, water cannons, and tear gas. Protesters responded by throwing firecrackers, bottles and chairs at police. Police reported 64 officers injured, while dozens of protesters were beaten and hundreds inhaled tear-gas.

Earlier, workers at Bologna’s Interporto logistics hub went on a 24-hour protest strike, and thousands of trucks were blocked or diverted. On Tuesday protests spread to other Italian cities, where rallies were held last night.

Far right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called his death “unacceptable” and encouraged a thorough investigation, while taking the opportunity to condemn “those who chose to use this incident as a pretext to set the city ablaze, assault officers, and sow violence”.

The mobilisation takes place on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the killing of Carlo Giuliani in Genoa during the G8 protests.