Rabat – An initial CT scan conducted ahead of the autopsy on Abderrahim Fakir, the Moroccan man who was killed during a brutal police intervention in the Italian city of Bologna, suggests that airway obstruction and asphyxiation were among the probable causes of his death.
Italian newspaper Il Messaggero published a report saying Fakir was “likely asphyxiated” after remaining pinned to the ground with his chest pressed against the pavement for approximately five minutes.
The case dates back to July 19, when two police officers pinned Fakir down to the ground and kneeled him down, with his face facing the ground. The brutal intervention, documented on camera, came after a call from a local on the outskirts of Bologna who reported that a man was allegedly acting “violently.”
The preliminary examination reportedly found that Fakir may have suffocated after being pinned to the ground with his chest pressed against the pavement for approximately five minutes while officers restrained his hands and feet.
Il Messaggero said Fakir’s family reported that he had previously suffered from asthma attacks.
The report comes as a team of medical experts will conduct an autopsy on Fakir’s body today to determine whether asphyxiation was indeed the cause of death.
Six suspects, including four paramedics who stood still while Fakir was crying for help, are also under investigation.
The medical responders intervened only after Fakir had been handcuffed, while his feet were still restrained.
Italian news agency ANSA quoted lawyer Gabriele Bordoni, who represents the two police officers, as saying: “The autopsy will need to examine everything surrounding the incident, including the actions of the police officers and medical personnel, as well as the man’s condition before all of this happened.”
The lawyer said the CT scan was performed yesterday.
“I don’t know the results. I’m waiting for my experts to inform me because, among the various questions they have been asked to examine, there will also be an analysis of those images,” Bordoni said.
The lawyer said the police officers have no comments to make.
“They are waiting for the people with the necessary medical expertise to provide the appropriate answers. It will take 90 days to complete the examinations,” Bordoni said.
