Bologna mayor Matteo Lepore assigned police escort after social media threats linked to Fakir death
The prefecture decided to assign protection after messages including 'Lepore, we want you like Fakir' appeared on social media. The mayor filed a complaint; the escort will be activated in the coming days.
Escort assigned after threats
The Prefecture of Bologna has decided to grant a police escort to Mayor Matteo Lepore because of threatening messages that appeared on social media in recent days. The posts followed a night of clashes in the city centre that erupted after a protest demanding truth and justice over the death of Abderrahim Fakir. According to reports from Corriere della Sera and Repubblica, the protection will be activated in the coming days. The mayor filed a formal complaint (querela) with the police to seek protection.
The online threats
The messages included "Lepore, we want you like Fakir" and "Does he have an escort or does no one care? We'll find agents tailored for him." About ten messages contained threats, and at least one made the mayor's home address public. Some of the intimidations were sent privately. The stream of hate on social media swept over the mayor after the night of urban guerrilla warfare that tore through the historic centre between Monday and Tuesday, following the demonstration over Fakir's death.
The Fakir case and protests
Abderrahim Fakir, 42, died during a police intervention in Bologna's Pilastro district. The incident triggered demonstrations that culminated in violent clashes overnight between 20 and 21 July, with damage and high tension between demonstrators and law enforcement. In Pilastro, friends, family and residents later gathered for a vigil and community dinner. One family friend said he was "a good boy, like a son," while others renewed the call: "No one in the hands of the state should die like this."
- Abderrahim Fakir dies during a police intervention in Bologna's Pilastro district.
- Protest demanding truth and justice over Fakir's death.
- Violent clashes erupt overnight in the city centre, with damage and tension.
- Prefecture announces police escort for Mayor Lepore; vigil scheduled in Pilastro.
Family distances itself from threats
The family of Abderrahim Fakir, through lawyer Fabio Anselmo, took a clear stand against the intimidation.
The end of Fakir cannot be wished on anyone.
This statement of solidarity aims to separate the family's grief from the violent rhetoric spreading online.
Vigil and police preparedness tonight
A new vigil, called by collectives and committees, is scheduled for the evening of 26 July in the Pilastro district. The police headquarters (Questura) will deploy a public order operation involving Digos, mobile units and reinforcements from outside the region. While there are no concrete signs of fresh unrest, authorities remain on high alert after the episodes that marked the last few days.
