Moroccan Diaspora Council Closely Monitors Probe into Abderrahim Fakir’s Killing

Rabat – Morocco’s Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) said it is continuing to closely monitor the judicial investigation into the killing of Moroccan citizen Abderrahim Fakir in the Italian city of Bologna.

The council noted that it has been following the case since news of Fakir’s killing emerged and that it is working to establish the facts as accurately as possible.

It added that it has assessed the case from a legal perspective under Italian law and international law while documenting the reactions of Fakir’s family, Italian and Moroccan authorities, political groups, trade unions, and civil society organizations.

The council also said it had been informed that an autopsy was carried out on Thursday, at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bologna by a multidisciplinary team. The results have not yet been released.

According to the statement, Italian judges are focusing on several key aspects of the investigation, including how long Fakir remained restrained on the ground and whether police officers and emergency responders followed an Italian Interior Ministry directive issued in May.

The directive recommends placing a restrained person on their side as soon as they show signs of breathing difficulties. Investigators are also examining how quickly medical teams intervened.

The council extended its condolences to Fakir’s family, relatives, and the Moroccan community in Italy, while stressing the importance of uncovering the truth, achieving justice for his family, and preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Fakir, a 43-year-old Moroccan man, was killed during a violent police intervention in Bologna on July 19. His death sparked widespread outrage in both Italy and Morocco after a video of the incident circulated online.

The footage shows two police officers pinning Fakir face down on the ground while his hands were restrained behind his back. He can be heard repeatedly calling for help before losing consciousness.

The officers intervened after a local resident reported that a man was allegedly behaving violently on the outskirts of Bologna.

Preliminary findings from a CT scan conducted before the autopsy suggest that airway obstruction and asphyxiation were among the likely causes of Fakir’s death, Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported.

It added that he was likely asphyxiated after remaining pinned to the ground with his chest pressed against the pavement for around five minutes while officers restrained both his hands and feet.

According to the report, Fakir’s family also revealed that he had previously suffered from asthma attacks.