Home / Crime and Justice / Moroccan Man's Death in Police Custody Ruled Suffocation
Moroccan Man's Death in Police Custody Ruled Suffocation
2 Oct
Summary
- Abderrahim Fakir died from suffocation while restrained by police.
- Family alleges death was due to prone position, comparing it to another case.
- Police lawyers cite high cocaine levels, a claim contested by the family's lawyer.
Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan national, died on July 19 in Bologna after being restrained by two police officers. Experts have determined that Fakir suffocated due to the prone position in which he was held. His family's lawyer, Fabio Anselmo, noted similarities to the 2014 death of Riccardo Magherini, where Italy was later condemned by the European Court of Human Rights.
Anselmo emphasized that the prone restraint deprived Fakir of oxygen, a critical factor in his death. This assertion is contested by the lawyers representing the officers, who are under investigation for manslaughter. They presented toxicology reports suggesting Fakir had consumed more than a lethal dose of cocaine.
Fakir had recently begun treatment for mental health issues, having been admitted to Bologna's Maggiore Hospital for a psychiatric concern on June 20. He had attended follow-up appointments and had a further session scheduled for early August. Videos show Fakir in a state of agitation before police intervened, with him heard shouting for help.
