Italy has seen violent unrest break out, largely attributed to immigrant communities over the death of 19-year-old Italian-Egyptian Rami El Gamal during a police pursuit in November.
On the evening of January 11, protesters gathered to demand action against the police involved in the death, with demonstrations in Rome and major towns such as Brescia, Milan and against a synagogue in Bologna.
El Gamal, who shared a scooter with a Tunisian-born friend, Fares Bouzidi, had faced a routine stop in Bologna but the pair fled on the machine. That led to a high-speed chase with the police, ending in a deadly crash.
Initial reports had framed what happened as an accident but the new footage showed police repeatedly ramming the scooter before it fell.
Reportedly, the two did not want to face the police because Bouzidi did not have a valid driver’s licence, while El-Gamal did not have correct identification with him.
While the incident occurred on November 24, tensions flared up after newly released surveillance footage was made public.
Recordings from the police patrol car captured officers allegedly hurling insults at the pair and one urging another to “hit them”.
After the crash, officers allegedly threatened a bystander, named only as “Omar”, who had filmed the chase, demanding he delete the footage.
In Rome and Bologna, violent demonstrations broke out, resulting in clashes between masked protesters and police, destruction of property and several officers being injured.
A number of the protests were organised by the little known Italian Anti-racist Co-ordination group under the banner “Justice and Truth”, according to the media.
Eight policemen were wounded during the riots in Rome.
A synagogue in Bologna was also the target of rioters on the night.
Police detained two people in the city who were reported to the judicial authorities and then released on charges of resistance and aggravated assault against public officers.
In an expression of solidarity with the Jewish community, Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore described the incident as “shocking and unacceptable”.
The mayor urged “everyone to keep calm”. He said: “Institutions will be united in dealing with what happened”.
Daniele De Paz, the president of the Jewish community in Bologna, said the synagogue attack was intentional. Protesters yelled threats and threw improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails, he said.
Near the synagogue, “Justice for Gaza” could be seen written in graffiti.
Jewish leaders accused the city of too much leniency regarding escalating pro-Palestinian violence, pointing out that Bologna’s city hall had recently decided to display a Palestinian flag.
On the evening of January 12, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violent protests.
“Between firecrackers, smoke bombs and assaults, yesterday evening in Rome we witnessed yet another despicable episode of disorder and chaos by the usual troublemakers who took to the streets not to demonstrate for a cause, but out of pure vengeance”, she posted on X.
“A tragedy cannot be used to legitimise violence. Our solidarity goes out to the police, along with our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured officers.
“We are on your side.”
Tra bombe carta, fumogeni e aggressioni, ieri sera a Roma abbiamo assistito all'ennesimo, ignobile episodio di disordine e caos ad opera dei soliti facinorosi scesi in piazza non per manifestare per una causa, bensì per puro spirito vendicativo. Non si può utilizzare una tragedia… pic.twitter.com/HHcKD5I8Fq
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) January 12, 2025
The officer behind the wheel of the car directly following the scooter and Bouzidi are both being investigated for possible charges regarding involuntary death by driving.
The other Carabinieri officers involved are being investigated over potentially false claims regarding the incident and for allegedly erasing a witness’s video.
A few days ago, a protest in Turin organised by far-left collective groups also turned violent and police had to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
