Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhan has alleged that she was physically assaulted and harassed in Italy while visiting a local park with her brother and his family.
Badhan, who is in Venice for the premiere of Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride, said she was pelted with water, soft drinks and eggs during the incident. She also alleged that her mobile phone was knocked from her hand and that she was struck near her ear. She later filed a complaint with local police.
Following the incident, Badhan went live on her verified Facebook page and described what had happened. She later shared several videos that she said showed the attack and harassment.
Badhan alleged that she was targeted because of her active role in the July-August 2024 student-led mass movement. She had spoken publicly against attacks on students during the movement and expressed her support for it in both local and international media.
According to Badhan, some of the attackers identified themselves as members of the Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League, whose activities are banned. She also said some identified themselves as “soldiers of Bangabandhu”.
Badhan alleged that she was forced to say, “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”. She said the attackers also attempted to record, livestream and publish the incident on social media.
The incident reportedly took place on Monday night while Badhan was in a local park with her brother and his family. She is currently staying in Mestre after travelling to Italy for The Difficult Bride, which is screening at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
“They hit me, knocked my phone out of my hand and struck me near my ear,” Badhan said.
Her brother’s young child was also present during the incident. In one video shared by Badhan, people can be heard asking the attackers to stop, referring to the child. One person is then heard saying, “What child are you talking about? He has to say ‘Joy Bangla’.”
Several people can also be heard calling Badhan a “July militant” and making aggressive remarks about her political views.
“They called me a July warrior. Yes, I am. I certainly took part in the July movement,” Badhan said.
Badhan also alleged that her brother’s wife was pushed during the incident.
“I was physically assaulted. My brother’s wife was also pushed,” she said.
Condemning the incident, Badhan said, “It will not be so easy to silence Azmeri Haque Badhan. Today, you have shown people around the world how an actress representing Bangladesh was harassed.”
Addressing the attackers, she added, “You should have moved on from this kind of irrational behaviour, but you failed to do so. You thought that perhaps by behaving this way, you could eventually rebuild your position. I don’t think that is going to happen.”
In her video message, Badhan also mentioned Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She said she had learned that Joy was also in Venice and urged that the incident be brought to his attention.
Badhan was actively involved in the streets during the July-August 2024 student-led mass movement and later spoke in support of it to both local and international media.
