Family of Moroccan man who died after Italian police intervention declines to speak as investigation continues

The family of Moroccan migrant Abdelrahim Faqir, who died following a police intervention in Italy, declined to speak to the media after arriving in Morocco on Thursday.

Dozens of journalists gathered at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, where they were waiting for the family, who had traveled from Bologna, to comment on the incident. However, the relatives refused to make any statements.

The confusion that followed the family’s arrival at the airport sparked frustration among both the victim’s relatives and some journalists, prompting the family to avoid speaking publicly about the case.

One of Faqir’s relatives expressed grief over his death, describing him as “a devoted son who honored his parents.” She said the family had been expecting him to return to Morocco on Aug. 3 to spend his vacation before learning that he had died.

The relative appealed to King Mohammed VI to intervene to facilitate the repatriation of Faqir’s body so he could be buried in Morocco.

Before the family’s arrival, Karim Baqqal, a relative of the victim, told Hespress AR that Italian authorities had requested a 90-day period before allowing the body to be repatriated, citing the ongoing investigation. He said the family remains determined to have Faqir buried in Morocco.

Prosecutors in Bologna continue to investigate the death of the 42-year-old Moroccan, who died on July 19 on Via Italo Svevo in the city’s Pilastro district during a police intervention.

According to Italian media reports, police officers responded to calls from residents reporting that a man was behaving erratically and violently. Emergency medical personnel accompanied the officers to the scene.

Preliminary reports indicate that Faqir resisted arrest, prompting officers to use pepper spray and handcuff him. He then reportedly suffered a sudden medical emergency and died while police were carrying out the arrest procedures.

Italian authorities have not yet announced the outcome of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.