Abderrahim Fakir, a Moroccan citizen, died on July 19 during a police operation in the Pilastro neighborhood of Bologna. A 5-minute and 20-second video recorded by a resident was analyzed by forensic audio expert Marco Perino, who transcribed the audible voices in the file. According to Perino, the video was recorded with a smartphone from a distance: the speakers' lips are not visible and it is not possible to attribute a specific phrase to a specific individual with certainty. The expert assigned a low degree of reliability to the transcriptions, noting also that phrases below 10 decibels cannot be given a scientifically certain meaning under European guidelines.

Among the transcribed phrases, Perino reports hearing a voice attributable to Fakir repeatedly saying "Air, air, air" and "You're killing me." The expression "Photo, photo, photo" is also heard, likely a request for bystanders to document what was happening. Another phrase, "Help, it's the blue one, help," may according to the expert refer to an asthma medication, Ventolin, which is blue in color. Perino hypothesizes that one of the police officers was trying to extract the medication from Fakir's pocket. The Bologna prosecutor's office has neither confirmed nor denied that an inhaler was seized.

In the video, police officers' voices are also heard: "Shall I let go?" followed by "No, no, no," and a reference to zip ties. A vulgar expression directed at Fakir by an officer is also heard, according to the transcription. A witness present in the video states that earlier, to make him die, they had shaken him. Fakir then calls for help saying "Help, the air, the air, the air."

The local health authority Ausl stated in a note that the account according to which police officers had requested an ambulance at 12:17, not sent due to unavailability, is not confirmed by call recordings and Centrale 118 documentation.

The search of Fakir's home in Borgonuovo di Sasso Marconi led to the seizure of an antidepressant medication. Lawyer Fabio Anselmo filed a motion with the prosecutor's office challenging the application of the penal shield for the police officers and denouncing a negligent excessive use of force.

Regarding the demonstration that followed the death, which escalated into clashes with about 60 officers injured, the mayor of Bologna Matteo Lepore reportedly communicated the initiative to the Questura only by phone, without submitting the written and signed pre-notice required by Article 18 of the consolidated public safety law, to be communicated at least three days in advance. The official pre-notice reportedly did not arrive even on the occasion of the meeting at the prefecture held one hour before the event. The lack of pre-notice entails an administrative fine of 2,000 to 10,000 euros for the municipality, as well as possible referral to the judicial authority for an unauthorized demonstration.