Actress Azmeri Haque Badhan has filed a case against those accused of assaulting and harassing her in Venice, Italy.
Badhan went to the Piazzale Roma police station in Venice on Tuesday, 8 September, to file the case. She reportedly spent around three hours at the police station.
According to reports, she filed the case against everyone identified in videos of the incident. A delegation from the Bangladesh Consulate in Milan accompanied her during the process, while police also received video footage of the alleged incident.
Earlier on Tuesday, Badhan said in a post on her verified Facebook page that she would not leave Venice without filing a case. She also said Italian police had taken her to a safe location following Monday’s incident.
The actress remains in Venice.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Press Minister at the embassy in Washington, journalist Golam Mortuza, said in a Facebook post that he spoke to Badhan by phone about the incident.
According to Mortuza, Badhan filed the case against three individuals whom he described as “Awami League militants”.
Two officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy travelled to Venice and accompanied Badhan to the police station, where she completed the legal process with the assistance of Italian police.
Mortuza also said police received video footage showing the alleged perpetrators. Reports about the incident have also appeared in Italian mainstream media, he added.
The Venice Film Festival authorities have also taken the matter seriously, according to Mortuza. As an invited guest of the festival, Badhan’s alleged assault was reported to police by the organisers.
The festival authorities have allowed Badhan to remain in Venice for several more days if she wishes and assured her that they would provide the necessary support during her stay.
Badhan is expected to return to Dhaka after the festival. However, she may need to travel back to Venice if police require her testimony at a later stage. When asked about the possibility, she reportedly said she would “definitely come”.
The alleged incident took place on Monday night in Venice and triggered widespread reactions on social media, with several Bangladeshi artists and public figures condemning the reported assault and calling for action against those responsible.
