The Association of Moroccan Immigrant Workers (ATIM) in Spain's Murcia region has expressed deep concern over the apparent disproportionate use of force in the death of Abderrahim Akkouch, a 35-year-old Moroccan national. The incident took place last Tuesday in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, where Akkouch, who reportedly had mental health issues, was confronted by an off-duty municipal police officer. In a statement sent to Yabiladi on Monday, ATIM denounced what it described as troubling police practices, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals, as acknowledged by the victim's family. While the death reportedly occurred in the context of an alleged theft, the NGO stressed the importance of awaiting autopsy results before drawing conclusions. It also urged a review of police intervention protocols, especially the use of potentially lethal techniques like the «mataleón» chokehold, warning that such methods must not be employed without thorough assessment of their legality and necessity. A video of the incident, widely shared by Spanish media, shows the officer kneeling on Akkouch's neck while ignoring pleas from a bystander urging him to «let the young man breathe». ATIM's president in Murcia and national vice-president, Sabah Yacoubi, said the tragedy reflects a broader daily reality of «exclusion, criminalization, and discrimination» faced by migrants. «Safeguarding fundamental rights and maintaining public trust in law enforcement demand a clear response to any action that may violate these principles», she said, adding that ATIM is considering legal action to help uncover the truth. The association also thanked the Moroccan community for its strong and dignified response, referring to a peaceful rally held on Saturday that gathered nearly 200 people. «We are equally grateful to all individuals, neighborhood associations, and anti-racist movements that have stood by Abderrahim's family in these days of grief and protest», ATIM concluded.
