Lucrezia Ciotti The case of Abderrahim Fakir , the 42-year-old who died on July 19 during a police operation in Bologna, is back in the spotlight following the forensic report and the public apology from one of the officers involved.
The expert report on Fakir's death: asphyxia and compression during the arrest
According to the medical-legal report ordered by the Bologna Public Prosecutor's Office, Abderrahim Fakir died of acute respiratory failure , in a situation aggravated by cocaine intoxication and a serious pre-existing heart condition.
Among the factors that contributed to his death, the experts also cited psychomotor agitation, hyperthermia, and the prone position maintained while restrained on the ground. Remaining in that position, which lasted approximately six minutes and 27 seconds , would have further reduced the man's breathing capacity, already compromised by his health. " The experts stated that asphyxia was the actual cause of death and that he lacked air because he was compressed ," lawyer Fabio Anselmo, who is representing the victim's family, told AGI.
The experts also noted critical issues with the intervention of rescuers and medical personnel, both in terms of timeliness and effectiveness. According to the expert report, even with prompt intervention and compliance with protocols, Fakir's chances of survival would have been around 15%. Attorney Anselmo announced that the family's consultant, Professor Vittorio Fineschi, will prepare an independent report, addressing some discrepancies between the assessments expressed by the experts during the final meeting and those reported in the final document.
The initial results of the autopsy, performed on July 24, had already revealed blood in the lungs and signs of crushing . Now it is up to the Bologna Prosecutor's Office to evaluate the expert's conclusions and decide how to proceed with the manslaughter investigation. Currently, the two police officers and four Red Cross first responders are registered in the preliminary records required by the so-called criminal shield and are not formally under investigation.
"I apologize." Fakir's death and shocking statements: the officer involved breaks his silence.
" I want to apologize to Abderrahim Fakir's family and to my corps for the unacceptable comments I made ." This was stated to ANSA by one of the two officers who intervened on July 19th on Via Svevo, in the Pilastro neighborhood of Bologna, where 42-year-old Moroccan Abderrahim Fakir died during a police operation . The officer's words, recorded by his bodycam, were filed with the investigation. Among the phrases uttered were " If he dies, we'll have fun ," " He died, oh, " and " I don't care ."
Through his defense attorney, Gabriele Bordoni, the officer publicly reiterated his regret. " The officer already apologized two months ago , discussing it with me as defense counsel, when those comments emerged from the bodycam recording ," the lawyer explained, attributing the expressions to the excitement, fatigue, and emotion experienced during the intervention. " That doesn't change the fact that they are unbecoming of a public servant and that they warrant the apology that is now duly reiterated publicly ," Bordoni added.