Morocco's foreign ministry expressed concern over the death of one of its nationals while Italian police were arresting him in the city of Bologna, and called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, according to Reuters news agency.

Abdel Rahim Faqir, born in Morocco, died on Sunday after police were called to the Pilastro district on the outskirts of the city, in northern Italy, to deal with a man who was acting aggressively and damaging a car.

The Moroccan ministry requested on Tuesday evening 'the necessary clarifications regarding this tragedy' and to determine responsibilities in this death, which sparked anti-police protests in Bologna on Monday, resulting in dozens of police officers injured. Following this, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a full investigation into the death, and also condemned the clashes with police after the incident.

Meloni stated in a post on X that 'it is necessary to identify potential responsibilities with the utmost precision regarding the death of Abdel Rahim Faqir. The whole truth must also be reached, without prejudice or leniency towards any party.'

She affirmed that the truth must be 'followed to the end, without preconceived ideas and without excluding anyone.' However, she warned that 'nothing can justify violence against law enforcement agencies.'

Part of the protests in the city of Bologna after the death of Abdel Rahim Faqir (DPA)

The Italian leader added: 'Those who chose to use this incident as a pretext to set the city on fire, assault officers, and sow violence, also endangering the safety of innocent bystanders completely unrelated to the disturbances, were not seeking the truth, they were seeking confrontation.'

These statements came after clashes erupted on Monday between protesters and police in the northern university city, known for its left-leaning political orientation.

Authorities opened an investigation on Monday into the death of the 42-year-old man, who had lived in Italy since the age of five, after being pinned face down for several minutes, with his hands and feet bound, and his face pressed against the asphalt. The investigation includes the two officers who carried out the arrest, as well as four ambulance personnel who were present at the scene.

Meanwhile, the Bologna prosecutor ordered an autopsy, and will also analyze footage from the two cameras mounted on the officers' bodies during the arrest.

A local resident had posted images showing Abdel Rahim repeatedly shouting 'Help,' as the two officers held him on the ground in the presence of several ambulance personnel on the opposite side. Police said they intervened after receiving reports from some residents about a man in a state of intense anger.

Following the incident, local media reported that thousands of people took to the streets on Monday evening to demonstrate in central Bologna. The demonstration saw clashes with security forces, resulting in at least 11 injuries, according to the same sources.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, for his part, called for waiting for the results of the investigation, stating in an interview with Il Messaggero newspaper that 'no one is above the law.'