Italy’s Meloni slams protesters following clashes in Bologna

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing its staff and Reuters, reported that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned protesters in Bologna after demonstrations over the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan man, turned violent and injured dozens of police officers. Fakir died on Sunday after police responded to reports of a man acting aggressively and damaging a vehicle. Protests began that night and continued Monday in central Bologna, where they escalated into clashes with riot police.

According to the report, demonstrators threw objects including firecrackers, bottles and chairs, while police used tear gas and water cannons. The Italian Coordination of Police Officers said 56 officers were hurt. Speaking Tuesday, Meloni said Fakir’s death must be examined rigorously and fairly, but accused those involved in the unrest of using the incident to provoke confrontation rather than seek the facts.

Al Jazeera reported that video circulating online shows Fakir face down while being restrained by two officers, calling for help and saying he could not breathe before becoming motionless. The footage has prompted comparisons with the 2020 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and renewed scrutiny in Italy over police use of force during arrests. Prosecutors have opened an investigation.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he trusted the inquiry to determine what happened and argued that officers should receive the same presumption of innocence as others. The case has drawn sharply different political reactions, with governing coalition figures defending the officers and opposition politicians criticizing the government’s approach. Lawyer Barbara Spinelli, who said she previously met Fakir over a residency permit issue, described him to ANSA as respectful and concerned about possible expulsion despite living legally in Italy.