Anti-police protests in Italy after Moroccan man dies during arrest

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Protesters have clashed with police in Italy after the death of a Moroccan man after officers restrained him on the ground.

Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan-born entrepreneur, died on Sunday after police were called following reports a man behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle, Italian media said.

Footage of the incident in Bologna, northern Italy, widely shared online shows Mr Fakir lying face down on the ground as two officers held him down.

He could be heard ‌repeatedly calling for help and struggling for breath before his movements gradually stopped.

Police tried to calm Mr Fakir before using pepper spray and holding him down while trying to handcuff him after he ⁠reacted aggressively, Italian media reported.

The incident prompted hundreds of demonstrators to march in the streets with some using anti-police slogans.

Others brandished signs that said "Justice for Fakir" and "state murders".

Some activists threw firecrackers near police buildings and officers responded with tear gas and water cannons, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Mr Fakir's death has been compared to that of George Floyd , whose killing by police in Minneapolis in 2020 sparked protests across the US and propelling the Black Lives Matter movement around the world.

In Italy, some demonstrators kneeled and raised their fists, a gesture associated with the movement committed to fighting against racism.

Mr Fakir's family have called for justice after his death at the 42-year-old.

"They killed my brother in cold blood, I want justice," his sister, Khadija, told reporters.

The Italian government has condemned the protests, with European affairs ⁠minister Tommaso Foti branding the demonstrations as "disgraceful".

"The chants of 'police murderers' and 'the whole world hates you', shouted during a demonstration in Bologna...are disgraceful," he said.

Some demonstrators sat down in a square holding a photograph of ‌Mr Fakir, in an act of nonviolent protest.

Prosecutors launched an investigation into the incident, with Bologna police agreeing to hand over bodycam footage from the two officers.

On Sunday, officers called emergency services after arriving in the Bologna neighbourhood of Pilastro shortly ⁠after midday, when temperatures exceeded 35C.

The incident has drawn responses from across the political spectrum, with opposition politicians demanding accountability and Giorgia ⁠Meloni's governing coalition defending the officers involved.

Interior Minister Matteo ⁠Piantedosi said he had "full confidence" the inquiry would clarify what happened.

According to Italian media, Mr Fakir ran a small removals and cleaning business.

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