Meloni condemns Bologna riots after Moroccan man dies during police intervention

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday condemned the riots that erupted in Bologna following the death of 42-year-old Moroccan Abderrahim Fakir during a police intervention, while insisting that the circumstances surrounding his death must be fully investigated.

«What happened in Bologna is unacceptable», Meloni said in a statement. Stressing that «the truth must be pursued to the very end, without prejudice and without leniency for anyone», she added that «nothing can justify violence against law enforcement».

The prime minister accused those behind the unrest of using the incident «as a pretext to wreak havoc on the city, attack officers and sow violence», arguing that they «were not seeking the truth» but «confrontation». She also warned that «fuelling a climate of hatred and delegitimization» against police was «an act of serious irresponsibility».

Her comments came after clashes between protesters and police left 64 officers injured and caused extensive damage across Bologna, the Intalian news agency ANSA reported. Prosecutors have opened an involuntary manslaughter investigation involving the two police officers and four paramedics who responded to the incident.

According to Italian media, police were called to Bologna's Pilastro district following reports of a man behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle. Officers reportedly tried to calm Fakir before using pepper spray and pinning him to the ground while attempting to handcuff him after he allegedly became aggressive.

Footage widely shared on social media shows Fakir lying face down as two officers restrained him. He can be heard repeatedly crying, «Help, help, that's enough», and struggling to breathe before falling silent. Local police said body-camera footage from the officers involved will be handed over to investigators.