Susanna Riva On July 19, 42-year-old Tunisian citizen Abderrahim Fakir was found dead in the Via Svevo al Pilastro area of Bologna. The search, prompted by reports of unrest from neighbors, raised numerous questions about the true circumstances of the death and the conduct of law enforcement and emergency responders.
The three contributing causes identified by the technical-medical consultancy
The nearly 300-page report drawn up by consultants for the Bologna prosecutors does not identify a single cause of death, but rather three contributing factors that, combined, led to Fakir's acute respiratory failure.
Cocaine poisoning and very serious heart disease
Toxicological tests confirmed the presence of cocaine capable of triggering hypertension and increased oxygen consumption.
The subject also suffered from severe heart disease , a chronic condition that drastically reduced the physiological reserve of the heart and lungs, making him particularly vulnerable to further stress.
Psychomotor agitation and hyperthermia
The 42-year-old's agitated behavior , likely enhanced by the stimulant effect of cocaine, caused significant hyperthermia . The increased body temperature increased his oxygen demand, exacerbating his already compromised breathing capacity.
Prone position during containment
The responding officers pinned Fakir to the ground in a prone position, holding him there for just over six minutes. This position, when combined with the previous conditions, can reduce ventilatory reserve, contributing to a state of hypoxia with an approximately 15% chance of survival, according to experts.
Critical issues in the management of the emergency by the police and rescuers
The report also highlights a serious lack of compliance with health protocols by both police personnel and subsequent responders. The restraint maneuvers caused extensive contusive trauma , but the injuries were not deemed the direct cause of death.
In particular, the screams captured by the body cameras—"He's dead, ah" and "I don't care"—have sparked outrage, demonstrating a lack of emotional control during delicate operations. Despite the injuries to his head, neck, and shoulders, experts concluded that there was no neck compression capable of obstructing his airway.
The report also highlights that even timely and correct intervention would not have significantly improved the chances of survival, given that survival was estimated at around 15% due to pre-existing physiological conditions.
Faced with these considerations, Fakir's family, represented by lawyer Fabio Anselmo, commissioned Professor Vittorio Fineschi to prepare an alternative report, arguing that the prone position played a more significant role than indicated in the official report.