'Something broke': Italy's Arab communities increasingly fearful of police violence

'Something broke': Italy's Arab communities increasingly fearful of police violence Submitted by Dalia Ismail on Tue, 07/28/2026 - 08:54 Two deaths of North African men within days have reignited concerns over racialised policing in Italy, feeding a sense of insecurity and exclusion among Arab communities A demonstrator gestures while holding a flyer during a protest following the death of Abderrahim Fakir in Bologna, Italy, 20 July 2026 (Michele Lapini/Reuters) Off Recent deaths involving North African men during police operations have sparked renewed fears over excessive force by police, discrimination and political neglect affecting people from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds in Italy, intensifying anxiety across the community. On 19 July, Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan born man, died after being restrained by two police officers and a civilian in Bologna. Police had been called by a resident as Fakir, in a state of psychological distress, was claiming he was in mortal danger and kicking garage doors.