Italy's Meloni condemns Bologna violent clashes, seeks 'thorough' investigation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni widely condemned anti-police protests that turned violent and left dozens of officers injured, resulting in a death of a man.

She called for a full investigation into the death of a man during an ‌arrest in Bologna on Tuesday.

"It is essential that any responsibilities be ascertained with the utmost rigour. The truth must be pursued thoroughly, without prejudice and without leniency toward anyone," Meloni wrote on X.

As per officials, Moroccan-born Abderrahim Fakir died on Sunday after police were called to the Pilastro neighbourhood on the outskirts of the northern city to deal with a man who was behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle.

The situation intensified after protesters threw firecrackers, chairs, and bottles at police, prompting the squad to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

As reported the right-wing premier also denounced violence against police during a protest in central Bologna late on Monday which, according to police union COISP, left 56 officers injured.

The demonstration turned violent when a group of protesters threw firecrackers, bottles and chairs at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannon, Italian media reported.

Investigations regarding the incident are ongoing meanwhile Bologna police said body-camera footages from the officers involved would be provided to the authorities.

According to Italian media, officers initially tried to calm Fakir before using pepper spray and restraining him while attempting to handcuff him after he reacted aggressively.

The case has drawn political reactions from across the spectrum, with opposition politicians demanding full accountability and members of the governing coalition defending the officers involved.

PM Meloni said, "Those who chose to use this incident as a pretext to lay waste to the city, attack officers and spread violence ... were not seeking the trut; they were seeking confrontation."

Prosecutors have opened an investigation, which has reignited debate in Italy over police use of force during arrests and prompted comparisons with past cases that resulted in years of legal proceedings and calls for reform.