Continued Oversight of the Investigation
The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) is actively observing the ongoing judicial investigation concerning the tragic death of Moroccan citizen Abderrahim Fakir in Bologna, Italy. The council has been vigilant in tracking the developments surrounding this case since the unfortunate news broke, aiming to gather accurate information regarding the circumstances of Fakir's demise. In its efforts, the CCME has approached the situation from both a legal standpoint, under the frameworks of Italian law and international regulations, and has been documenting responses from various stakeholders, including Fakir's family, Moroccan and Italian authorities, political entities, trade unions, and civil society organizations.
Key Aspects of the Investigation
Recently, an autopsy was conducted at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bologna, performed by a multidisciplinary team of medical experts, although the results have yet to be disclosed. Notably, the investigation is concentrating on critical elements such as the duration for which Fakir was restrained on the ground and whether the police and emergency responders adhered to a directive from the Italian Interior Ministry, which was issued in May. This directive emphasizes the necessity of placing a restrained individual on their side immediately upon exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. Additionally, investigators are scrutinizing the promptness of medical team's interventions during the incident.
The Council has extended its heartfelt condolences to Fakir's family, relatives, and the broader Moroccan community residing in Italy. It underscores the imperative need to unveil the truth behind this incident, ensuring justice for Fakir's family while preventing similar occurrences in the future. Abderrahim Fakir, a 43-year-old Moroccan national, lost his life during a forceful police operation on July 19. His death has incited significant outrage across both Italy and Morocco, especially following the circulation of a distressing video depicting the incident. The footage portrays two police officers holding Fakir face down, with his hands restrained behind him, as he cries out for help before losing consciousness. The police were summoned after a local resident reported that a man was allegedly acting violently in the vicinity of Bologna.
Preliminary assessments from a CT scan, performed before the autopsy, hint that airway obstruction and asphyxiation may have contributed to Fakir's tragic death, as reported by the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. The report suggests that Fakir was likely asphyxiated after being pinned to the ground with his chest against the pavement for approximately five minutes, during which both his hands and feet were restrained. Furthermore, Fakir's family has disclosed that he had experienced asthma attacks in the past, raising further concerns about his health during the incident.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
