Man dies in Italy while being handcuffed by police; video shows him pleading for help

A tragic incident in Bologna, Italy, has ignited public outcry after a 42-year-old Moroccan man, Abderrahim Fakir, died while being handcuffed by police. The man's final moments, captured on a five-minute video, show him lying on the ground, repeatedly pleading "Help! Stop!" as medical personnel observed impassively.

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Help! Stop!

The event unfolded Sunday afternoon in the Pilastro neighborhood. Police responded to a call about Fakir, who was reportedly acting erratically and hitting a car. Two officers arrived, called an ambulance, and began a struggle to detain him. One officer deployed a stinging spray, and they subsequently forced Fakir to the ground, restraining him and applying handcuffs. The video, filmed by witnesses, shows officers applying pressure to his body, pressing his face into the asphalt while he continued to cry out.

During the ordeal, bystanders and ambulance personnel were present but did not intervene. The video shows Fakir becoming still, yet the officers continued their procedure, eventually cuffing his feet. It was only later that an officer appeared to realize Fakir was unresponsive, attempting to rouse him. A medical professional then checked for a pulse, confirming he was deceased.

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I want justice, I want revenge, you can't die like this.

The death has drawn comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd in the United States, sparking controversy and protests. Fakir, who legally resided in Italy and reportedly managed a small transport company, also suffered from asthma, according to local media. His sister, Khadija, tearfully demanded justice, stating, "You have to calm him down, not kill him under the sun. They killed him."

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If someone is agitated, you have to calm them down, not kill them under the sun. They killed him.

Friends of Fakir described him as a "good-natured" person. The incident has prompted widespread indignation in Bologna and shock across Italy, fueling a debate about police procedures and the use of force during arrests.

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good-natured