The tragic death of Moroccan migrant Abdelrahim Faqir, who died while being restrained by police in Bologna, has sparked significant political and public discourse in Italy. In a notable development, the Italian Unified Police Workers’ Union (SIULP) has announced its involvement in the legal proceedings surrounding this case. Through its Bologna branch, the union has formally filed to become a civil party in the criminal case linked to the violent confrontations that erupted following protests over Faqir’s demise.
This legal maneuver, permitted under Italian law, grants the union the ability to seek compensation on behalf of officers who sustained injuries during the unrest and to actively engage in the judicial process. In a statement shared with Hespress English, the union emphasized its commitment to providing free legal representation for the injured officers, facilitated by lawyer Francesca Chiarini from the Bologna Bar Association. The union's objective is to secure compensation for the physical injuries, moral damages, and financial losses incurred by the officers, portraying this initiative as a means to uphold “the dignity of men and women in uniform” while confronting the organized violence that marred the demonstrations.
The Bologna branch of the union has taken a strong stance against the violence that erupted during the protests following Faqir’s death. They condemned the assaults on police officers, which included the throwing of projectiles and the use of explosive devices, asserting that such actions had no connection to the legitimate right to protest. According to the union, 64 law enforcement officers were injured, with significant damage inflicted on both public and private properties. In a prior statement released on July 21, the union had indicated that the number of injured officers could be as high as 80.
Pasquale Palma, the provincial secretary of SIULP in Bologna, expressed condolences to Faqir’s family while simultaneously expressing confidence in the ongoing judicial investigation. He accused certain local political leaders of fostering an environment of hostility toward police ahead of the demonstrations. Palma remarked, “Delegitimizing those who wear the uniform means weakening the state and allowing those who resort to violence to impose their views instead of engaging in dialogue, which is the essence of democracy.”
In the aftermath of Faqir’s death, the national leadership of SIULP also came to the defense of the officers involved in the arrest. They stated that police intervention was initiated after residents reported a man in a violent and agitated state, who was allegedly attacking passersby and damaging property. SIULP Secretary-General Felice Romano asserted that the officers acted both professionally and proportionately during what he described as a complex intervention. He highlighted that, despite being equipped with Tasers, the officers chose to use pepper spray while medical personnel and bystanders assisted in restraining Faqir.
Romano further noted, “The officers have made themselves fully available to the judicial authorities from the very beginning,” urging investigators to consider the entire sequence of events rather than relying solely on “video clips taken out of context and circulated on social media.” He also criticized attempts by some political figures to exploit the tragedy for their own agendas, warning that premature public judgments could exacerbate institutional tensions.
Faqir’s death has emerged as a significant public concern in Italy, igniting extensive political debate and media scrutiny following the circulation of videos depicting the incident. These videos have raised pressing questions regarding the proportionality of the police response and have prompted calls from Moroccan authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Faqir’s death and to ensure accountability.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
