Centocelle Attack Target Prepares Formal Complaint
Karim, a 70-year-old Moroccan national living in Italy, was struck in the face and threatened with a baseball bat in a September 25 assault on via dei Licheni in Rome’s Centocelle district. The victim sustained broken teeth, a fractured nose, and significant swelling to his left eye, requiring hospital treatment and injuries that take 30 days to heal.
The unprovoked assault, which the Islamic Community of Rome denounced through Ahmed Vall, is now drawing formal legal steps as attorney Andrea Augenti prepares a criminal complaint citing the aggravating factor of racial hatred. Local political figures and community leaders have condemned the violence as a clear instance of xenophobia and islamophobia.
The Assault on via dei Licheni
Recounting the incident in a video released by the Islamic Community of Rome, Karim stated he was walking and talking with a friend when an individual confronted him over raising his voice. After Karim responded that he was merely passing through the street, a young man approached wielding a baseball bat and shouting racial insults, including “vattene al Paese, marocchino” (go back to your country, Moroccan).
The assailant shouted, “Marocchino di m…a torna a casa tua” (Moroccan piece of shit, go back to your home) before delivering a direct punch to the victim’s face that sent him to the ground. Karim recounted that bystanders also yelled at him to leave during the confrontation. Following the attack, the 70-year-old sought hospital treatment for his facial injuries, noting in the video that he has experienced lingering fear since the incident.
Legal Complaint Targets Racial Hatred in Attack
Attorney Andrea Augenti confirmed that a formal legal complaint incorporating the racial hatred aggravating factor will be filed within the coming week. The Islamic Community of Rome has actively supported the victim, with Ahmed Vall highlighting that the community has received reports of attacks in other neighborhoods.
Political leaders have also weighed in on the violence. Rachele Mussolini, group leader in Campidoglio, and Michel Emi Maritato, commissioner in Municipio V, both from Forza Italia, issued a joint statement condemning the attack as a cruel, racially motivated act of islamophobia. They warned against the toxic rhetoric of remigration and emphasized that Rome must remain an open, pluralistic city.
Islamic Community of Rome Plans Anti-Discrimination Desk
In response to the Centocelle assault and other reported incidents in different neighborhoods, Ahmed Vall announced plans by the Islamic Community of Rome to establish a specialized anti-discrimination desk. This office aims to provide listening, guidance, and concrete support to victims of prejudice.
Vall added that the community intends to open structured negotiations with Rome Capital to translate municipal efforts into broader prevention and monitoring programs. These initiatives seek to unite local institutions and associations in continuous opposition to xenophobia, ensuring that public spaces remain secure for residents of all origins and faiths.
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