An investigation is underway in Italy after a Senegalese man died in prison, raising serious questions about how detainees are treated in custody. The case involves Sylla Mamadou Khadialy, a 35-year-old Senegalese citizen, who passed away on September 26 while detained at the Santa Maria Capua Vetere prison in the Campania region.
According to reports from ANSA, the local prosecutor has opened an inquiry to determine the cause of death and has placed three doctors under investigation for possible manslaughter. Two of the doctors were reportedly working at the prison facility, while the third was part of the local Health Assistance service.
The events leading to Khadialy’s death began on September 25 at Caserta station, where he allegedly attacked a friend and then attempted to assault a woman. Railway police officers (POLFER) intervened, and during the confrontation, one officer suffered a broken nose. The officers managed to restrain Khadialy and took him to the Caserta hospital, where he appeared to be highly agitated.
At the hospital, doctors administered sedatives to calm him down before he was released into police custody. However, once back at the POLFER office, Khadialy’s condition worsened, requiring another intervention from emergency medical staff (118 service), who reportedly gave him additional medication.
Shortly after being transferred to the Santa Maria Capua Vetere prison, Khadialy was found dead the following morning. Authorities are now examining whether the medical treatment he received contributed to his death.
What are the protesters demanding in this case?
Hundreds of people, including migrants and activists, marched through Caserta on September 30 demanding “Truth and Justice for Sylla Mamadou Khadialy.” The protests were organized by the Centro Sociale Ex Canapificio, an association that supports asylum seekers and refugees through projects like the SPRAR program. The organization had previously helped Khadialy integrate into local society when he arrived in Caserta in 2018.
Activist Mamadou Kouassi Pli Adama, from the same association and known for inspiring the film Io Capitano, joined the demonstration. He stated, “We want to understand what happened to Sylla and why he died suddenly under state custody. Our demands are legitimate.”
In response, Nicola Molteni, Deputy Secretary of the Italian Ministry of Interior, met with the injured police officers and praised them for their service. He emphasized that the police should not be “criminalized or delegitimized,” arguing that doing so could undermine the country’s democratic system.
Meanwhile, human rights groups continue to call for a transparent investigation. Organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have consistently urged European governments to ensure the safety and fair treatment of migrants in detention facilities.
The death of the Senegalese man in the Italian prison has once again sparked debates about migrant rights, mental health care in prisons, and accountability within law enforcement institutions.
The investigation into Sylla Mamadou Khadialy’s death aims to uncover the truth and determine whether medical negligence or systemic failures were involved. The case shows the ongoing need for stronger oversight in Italy’s detention system to protect vulnerable migrants and ensure justice for all.