Who was Abderrahim Fakir, the 'Italian George Floyd' whose death sparked protests in Italy

Tensions flared in Bologna, Italy, as protests against police brutality intensified following the death of Abderrahim Fakir. Fakir, who had lived in Italy since childhood and ran a small moving and cleaning business, died after being detained by two police officers on Sunday. Local media reported that officers responded to calls about his agitated state in the streets.

Witnesses filmed the incident, showing Fakir lying face down with officers applying pressure. He stopped moving and subsequently died. The exact cause of death awaits an autopsy. The Bologna prosecutor's office has opened a manslaughter investigation involving two police officers and four emergency service personnel.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni tweeted that the events in Bologna were "unacceptable" and called for a rigorous investigation into potential responsibilities. However, she also stated that "nothing can justify violence against law enforcement." Meloni criticized those who used the incident as a pretext for violence, aggression towards officers, and endangering citizens, asserting they were seeking confrontation rather than truth.

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What happened in Bologna is unacceptable. Regarding the death of Abderrahim Fakir, it is a duty to investigate possible responsibilities with the utmost rigor. The truth must be sought to the fullest, without prejudice and without discounts for anyone.

The case has drawn comparisons to George Floyd, the Black man whose death in US police custody sparked global protests. The UK Times reportedly titled a story "Bologna boils with anger over the 'Italian George Floyd.'" The circumstances, including being filmed by witnesses and the subsequent public outcry, echo the Floyd case, which significantly amplified the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

Fakir's death has renewed attention on other victims of alleged police violence, mirroring the broader impact of the George Floyd case, which spurred demonstrations across continents. The investigation aims to uncover the full truth behind Fakir's death and address concerns about police conduct.

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But nothing can justify violence against the Forces of Order. Those who have chosen to use this incident as a pretext to turn the city upside down, attack officers and sow violence, also putting at risk the integrity of citizens completely unrelated to the disturbances, have not sought the truth: they have sought confrontation.