Investigation in Italy delays repatriation of Moroccan man who died in Bologna

Tuesday 11 August 2026 - 08:00

By: Azzat Manal

Investigation in Italy delays repatriation of Moroccan man who died in Bologna

The body of Abdelrahim Faqir, a 42-year-old Moroccan citizen who died in Bologna, Italy, remains in the custody of Italian authorities more than three weeks after his death, as judicial investigations and forensic examinations continue.

According to the lawyer representing the deceased’s family, the Italian authorities have yet to complete the autopsy and several technical procedures required to establish the circumstances and precise cause of death. As a result, the body has not yet been released for repatriation to Morocco.

The prolonged procedure has placed the family in a difficult situation. Relatives were forced to hold funeral ceremonies in Morocco without the deceased’s body while waiting for the Italian judicial process to reach the stage at which the remains can be transferred.

The case dates back to July 19, when Faqir died following an intervention involving two police officers. Prosecutors in Bologna subsequently opened a preliminary investigation involving six people, including the two officers and four Red Cross volunteers.

The forensic examination is expected to play a central role in determining what happened. Investigators are examining medical evidence that could establish the cause of death and clarify the circumstances surrounding the intervention.

Authorities are also examining video evidence recorded during the incident. One of the police officers involved was reportedly wearing a body camera, which captured several minutes of footage. Investigators are expected to analyze the recording alongside any images or videos that may have been taken by witnesses using mobile phones.

The Bologna prosecutor’s office has also returned to the scene on Via Svevo as part of the investigation. Technical teams reportedly used drones and laser-based technology to create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the location and help establish the sequence of events.

Investigators are also working to determine the precise timing of the different recordings made on the morning of the incident, an element that could help reconstruct the events leading up to Faqir’s death.

Meanwhile, the family and its legal representatives have expressed concern over what they describe as misleading information circulating on social media. They have urged caution, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that conclusions about the circumstances of the death should be based on verified medical and judicial evidence.

For the family, the continued delay has added to the emotional burden of an already painful situation. The final forensic findings and judicial investigation are expected to provide important answers about the cause of death, the circumstances of the police intervention and any potential responsibilities.

Until the Italian authorities complete their work, the circumstances surrounding Abdelrahim Faqir’s death remain under investigation, and no definitive conclusions can be drawn before the relevant medical and technical evidence is assessed.