"What happened in Bologna is unacceptable. Regarding the death of Abderrahim Fakir, it is imperative that any possible responsibilities be established with the utmost rigor. The truth must be sought to the very end, without prejudice and without leniency for anyone. But nothing can justify violence against law enforcement." This is what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on social media, commenting on the episodes of violence in Bologna during the demonstration over the death of Abderrahim Fakir.
"Those who chose to use this incident as a pretext to set the city ablaze, attack officers and spread violence, also putting at risk the safety of citizens completely uninvolved in the unrest, were not seeking the truth: they were seeking confrontation," Meloni continued. "Fueling a climate of hatred and delegitimization toward an entire branch of the State is an act of grave irresponsibility," Meloni added. "Turning thousands of uniformed men and women into a target means striking those who serve Italy every day with professionalism, sacrifice and courage."
"Demanding truth and justice does not mean delegitimizing those who wear a uniform. On the contrary, focusing on what happened at Pilastro and establishing responsibility for the events of last Sunday serves to preserve citizens' trust in state institutions." This is how Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore responded, speaking with ANSA, to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding the Abderrahim Fakir affair.
Bologna, meanwhile, woke up wounded. The urban guerrilla warfare in the heart of the city, just steps from Piazza Maggiore, continued until late last night, with a group of activists who kept throwing objects at police officers until past midnight, while also devastating the city center by overturning outdoor café chairs and vandalizing shared bicycle service bikes.
At least one municipal vehicle was set on fire, forcing firefighters to intervene. Firefighters also rushed to Via Monte Grappa, where a flare had caught fire in a courtyard.
An initial assessment from last night's protests and clashes, which followed the peaceful rally calling for truth and justice over the death of Abderrahim Fakir, counted 11 people who required treatment from emergency services. On-site medical personnel treated four demonstrators and five police officers. Another police officer was taken to the Maggiore hospital and one demonstrator to Sant'Orsola, both with minor injuries.
The Bologna Police Headquarters: '64 officers injured, six vehicles damaged'
In last night's clashes, 64 law enforcement officers were injured, with prognoses ranging from 3 to 35 days. Six State Police vehicles were damaged. Additional damage was caused in the central streets of the city, adjacent to Piazza Maggiore where the demonstration began. This is the initial assessment from the Bologna Police Headquarters.
"The large quantity of video and photographic material is being reviewed by investigative units in order to identify those responsible for the criminal acts committed, some of whom have already been identified," the police headquarters further reported. The position of detained demonstrators is being examined by the prosecutor's office.
The officers' lawyer: 'They are devastated by Fakir's death'
The two police officers "told me what happened and how they operated in this situation, and they conveyed to me, through their eyes, the pain for the tragedy they witnessed: the death of a man." This was explained by lawyer Gabriele Bordoni, who is representing the two officers from the Bolognina Pontevecchio police station involved in the case concerning the death of Abderrahim Fakir. "Obviously they are two very young and sensitive guys, and the death of a person is something that clearly leaves you shaken. And that is how they are," the lawyer added.
Lepore: 'Yesterday in Bologna there were two squares, only one represents the city'
"Yesterday Bologna saw two squares. Piazza Nettuno represents Bologna. Thousands of people gathered there peacefully and spontaneously, to express their closeness to the family of Abderrahim Fakir. Piazza Roosevelt and the clashes, on the other hand, do not represent Bologna. Those who think they can respond to violence with violence exclude themselves from the rule of law. And therefore exclude themselves from our democratic community." This was written in an open letter to the city by Mayor Matteo Lepore following the clashes.
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