• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni calls for a thorough investigation into the death of Abderrahim Fakir.
• Protests in Bologna resulted in over 56 police officers being injured during violent clashes.
• Meloni condemned the protests as seeking confrontation rather than truth.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for a full investigation into the death of Moroccan-born Abderrahim Fakir, who died after being restrained by police in Bologna. Meloni emphasized the need to establish the truth "without prejudice and without leniency," stating that "the truth must be pursued thoroughly," amid rising tensions and violence during protests that erupted following the incident, according to Reuters and BBC.

Abderrahim Fakir, who was described as behaving erratically before police intervention, died after being pinned down by officers who reportedly used pepper spray during the arrest. A video, widely shared on social media, shows Fakir pleading for help and claiming he couldn’t breathe before losing consciousness. His death has sparked significant national debate over police practices in Italy, paralleling previous tragedies involving police violence worldwide, reports Africanews and Al Jazeera.

Protests escalated into violent clashes on both Sunday and Monday, leading to injuries among 56 police officers as demonstrators threw projectiles and set fires. Meloni condemned this violence, asserting that it was exploited to provoke confrontations rather than advocating for justice, according to statements made by her and Italian media reports. Police utilized tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, resulting in multiple injuries among law enforcement personnel, as detailed by BBC and Africanews.

The political fallout from Fakir's death has drawn reactions across Italy's political spectrum, with some opposing politicians arguing that government policies endorse violence. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defended the actions of police, asserting they deserve the same presumption of innocence afforded to civilians. He reiterated a commitment to transparency as the investigation unfolds, while criticism mounts regarding the handling of the incident and the conduct of law enforcement, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.