(Adnkronos) – Italy’s ambassador to Morocco, Pasquale Salzano and the Italian Consul-General in Casablanca met the widow of 42-year-old Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan small business owner who died while police restrained him on Sunday during a “psychiatric episode” in the northern city of Bologna in circumstances that are being probed by prosecutors.
“During the meeting, the Italian government’s deepest condolences and the sincere sympathy of Italy’s institutions were conveyed to the family,” read the statement.
“The Ambassador and the Consul General also confirmed their full willingness to provide every possible assistance to the family as the matter progresses.”
The meeting with Fakir’s widow was made at foreign minister Antonio Tajani’s request, the statement said. It followed a request by Morocco’s foreign ministry for explanations over Fakir’s death and for responsibility to be established.
Fakir’s death sparked clashes between protesters and police late on Monday which according to police union Coisp left 56 officers injured. Premier Giorgia Meloni denounced the violence against police and interior minister Mattel Piantedosi defended Italy’s law enforcement and justice system.
A video of Fakir’s moments which was widely shared on social media shows him lying face down on the ground while two officers restrain him and bind his ankles. He can be repeatedly heard calling for help and saying he can’t breath before he gradually stops moving. Four paramedics were present at the scene.
Fakir’s heartbroken family, Italy’s centre-left opposition politicians and rights activists have demanded full accountability over the case. The incident has been likened in Italy to George Floyd’s murder in the US six years ago, and also drawn comparisons with tactics used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Donald Trump.
