Bologna Protests: 60 Police Injured After Death in Custody

Violent Demonstrations Rock Italian City

Over 60 police officers were injured during violent protests in Bologna, Italy, following the death of 42-year-old Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born Italian resident who died while being restrained by police on July 19, 2026. The unrest has drawn comparisons to the George Floyd killing in the United States and sparked a national debate about police conduct and racism in Italy.

The protests, which began on July 20 and continued into the night, saw demonstrators clash with law enforcement in two main squares. While one square remained peaceful with thousands gathering to show solidarity with Fakir's family, the other erupted into chaos. Protesters smashed shop windows, set cars ablaze, and destroyed ATMs. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons. At least four demonstrators were also injured.

What Happened to Abderrahim Fakir?

Fakir, a 42-year-old entrepreneur who had lived in Italy since the age of five, died during a police arrest on Sunday, July 19. Police had been called to the scene after reports that a man was acting aggressively and possibly suffering a psychiatric episode. Witnesses said Fakir had been hitting a car entering a garage and later struck a police vehicle.

Video footage captured by a bystander shows two police officers sitting on top of Fakir as he lies face down on the ground. In the video, Fakir can be heard repeatedly calling out, 'Aiuto, aiuto, basta!' (Help, help, that's enough!). The officers remain on top of him. After he stops moving, the officers bind his ankles before checking his vital signs. Ambulance workers are seen standing nearby without intervening. Similar to the George Floyd police brutality case, the officers' restraint technique has been widely condemned.

The two officers involved, aged 23 and 28, have not been suspended but are currently not on active duty. One was on pre-planned leave and the other on sick leave, according to Italian media.

Political Reactions and Investigation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for a full investigation into Fakir's death while simultaneously condemning the violent protests as 'unacceptable.' Prosecutors in Bologna have opened a probe and requested body camera footage from the officers involved.

The incident has deepened political divides in Italy. Opposition parties accused the far-right government of fostering a climate of hatred and racism. Bologna's mayor, Matteo Lepore, wrote on Instagram: 'Everyone who thinks they can answer violence with violence ignores the rule of law.'

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, both from right-wing parties, defended the police. Salvini argued that officers were doing their duty and should not be prejudged. The Italian far-right government policies have faced renewed scrutiny in the wake of the protests.

Fakir's brother-in-law, Zorgan Hamid, who was present at the demonstrations, told La Stampa: 'We are not asking for revenge, but for justice. The police did not do their job properly; the ambulance crew stood by and watched someone die without intervening. Those who made mistakes must be held accountable.'

Comparisons to George Floyd and Global Impact

The footage of Fakir's death has drawn immediate comparisons to the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA, where a police officer knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes. Demonstrators in Bologna were seen kneeling with raised fists in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation. The incident has also sparked protests in other Italian cities and among diaspora communities abroad. Experts in European police reform movements suggest the case could accelerate calls for changes to police restraint protocols across Europe.

FAQ

What caused the Bologna protests?

The protests were triggered by the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born Italian man who died while being restrained by police during an arrest on July 19, 2026.

How many people were injured in the Bologna protests?

Over 60 police officers and at least four demonstrators were injured in the clashes.

What does the video of Fakir's arrest show?

The video shows two police officers sitting on top of Fakir as he lies face down, pleading for help. After he becomes still, the officers bind his ankles before checking his vital signs.

Have the officers been charged?

No charges have been filed yet. The two officers are not suspended but are not currently on active duty. Prosecutors are investigating and have requested body camera footage.

How has the Italian government responded?

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a full investigation while condemning the violent protests. Right-wing officials defended the police, while opposition parties criticized the government's policies.

Sources

Information for this article was compiled from reports by NOS, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, ABC News, Reuters, BBC News, Corriere della Sera, and La Stampa.