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Rabat — Moroccan Member of Parliament Naima El Fethaoui has submitted a formal question to Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita regarding the death of the 35-year-old Moroccan man, Abderrahim Akkouh, in Spain.
The case dates back to June 17, when an off-duty Spanish police officer restrained Akkouh using a controversial chokehold in Torrejón de Ardoz, near Madrid.
The Moroccan Parliament member described the case as “dramatic” and called on the Moroccan government to ensure legal and moral support for Abderrahim’s family.
El Fethaoui also urged the ministry to take strong diplomatic steps to protect Moroccan citizens living in Spain from racist police abuse.
The incident’s background
According to witnesses, the officer chased Abderrahim, forced him to the ground, and applied the “mataleón” chokehold — a rear-naked strangle move criticized for its risk of asphyxiation.
Ignoring pleas from onlookers to stop, the officer reportedly maintained pressure on Abderrahim’s neck while shouting for someone to call the police. Emergency services found Abderrahim unconscious upon arrival and were unable to revive him.
The footage of the incident went viral, leading to a protest on June 21 in Plaza de España, where dozens of Moroccans and Spaniards gathered. Holding photos of the victim, demonstrators chanted for justice.
Abderrahim’s family, devastated and tearful, demanded accountability. His father, Mimoun Akkouh, expressed sorrow in Spanish media: “If he stole a phone, arrest him, try him — but don’t kill him.”
The officer, identified as Juan José, 58, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter but later released on conditional bail.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and anti-racism organizations, who say the act was not accidental but a clear case of excessive force.
The incident, witnessed and filmed by bystanders, has sparked outrage among the Moroccan community in Spain and prompted calls for justice from rights groups and lawmakers.
Human rights groups, including SOS Racismo and Corridor en Lucha, have demanded a transparent investigation and the formation of a support committee to honor Abderrahim’s memory and defend others affected by institutional violence.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about systemic racism within Spanish police forces, especially toward migrants and ethnic minorities. Activists and lawmakers alike are calling for deep reforms and greater accountability.
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