A Moroccan migrant was arrested near Milan on Monday after allegedly entering a police station with a large kitchen knife marked with the words “Allahu Akbar” and threatening officers.
The 31-year-old walked into the local police command in Baranzate at about 12:30 p.m. and began waving the roughly eight-inch blade while shouting threats, according to Imola Oggi.
Police officers rushed to disarm the man without further resistance.
He was arrested on suspicion of committing terrorist acts and threatening a public authority or its employees. Authorities said he has a criminal record and reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder.
At the time of the incident, the suspect was allegedly subject to court-imposed restrictions connected to an aggravated theft case, including an obligation to remain at home and report to judicial police.
A search of the illegally occupied warehouse where he had been living uncovered around 30 shotgun shells, numerous knives, blunt instruments bearing propaganda-style inscriptions and construction equipment believed to have been stolen, police said.
Additional accusations include unlawful weapons possession, carrying offensive objects, and handling stolen goods.
The suspect was placed in pre-trial detention while investigators examine whether the incident was ideologically motivated or linked to his mental condition.
On the same day, police clashed with demonstrators in Bologna during protests over the death of another Moroccan-born man following an attempted arrest.
Police had been called after reports that a man, now named as Abderrahim Fakir, was behaving aggressively and damaging a vehicle. Video recorded by a resident showed Fakir lying face down while being restrained by two officers. Reuters reported how he could be heard telling officers he couldn’t breathe shortly before he stopped moving.
Hundreds later gathered in Bologna, where some demonstrators reportedly threw fireworks near police buildings, resulting in officers responding with tear gas and water cannons.
🇮🇹 Italy faces a potential "George Floyd moment"
Migrant rights organizations and the far-left are starting to organize streets protests after a Moroccan migrant died while being pinned down to the ground by the police after going on rampage, destroying cars and threatening… pic.twitter.com/G1jfFggJM2
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 20, 2026Prosecutors have opened an investigation, while police said body-camera footage from the officers involved would be handed over.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said he had full confidence that the inquiry would establish what happened.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini condemned the unrest and accused the political left of fueling hostility toward police, while European Affairs Minister Tommaso Foti described chants branding officers “murderers” as disgraceful.
“Irresponsible and anti-Italian is a left that fuels hatred toward those who wear a uniform and defend us. In the coming days, I will be in Bologna to bring my support and solidarity to the women and men of the State Police,” Salvini wrote on X.
