The National Citizen Party (NCP) has strongly condemned the attack on actress and cultural activist Azmeri Haque Badhon in Venice, Italy, expressing “deep anger” over the incident and blaming local leaders and activists of the banned Awami League.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain made the remarks in a joint statement sent to the media on Tuesday.
The party condemned the alleged physical assault on Badhon and attacks on the women and children accompanying her, saying the incident demonstrated that the mentality of violence associated with the Awami League had not changed.
The NCP leaders alleged that activists of the Awami League, which they described as a “fascist” organisation, were continuing political violence against July uprising activists from abroad.
They claimed that identified Awami League activists in Venice attacked Badhon and her family and forced her to chant slogans including “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”.
According to the NCP, photographs of some of those involved with Sajeeb Wazed Joy had circulated on social media. The party alleged that the attack was carried out with the support or encouragement of senior Awami League leaders living abroad.
The NCP called on the relevant authorities in Italy to arrest those involved, cancel their visas and deport them to Bangladesh so that they can face legal action.
The party also urged Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions to take effective measures to ensure the safety of July uprising activists, expatriate activists and Bangladeshi citizens abroad.
The NCP said no political or social reconciliation was possible with what it described as the “fascist group”, arguing that the alleged attack in Venice was further evidence of continued political violence beyond Bangladesh’s borders.
“July warriors who brought down the dictatorship are national assets. The audacity shown by the cadres of this terrorist organisation in attacking them on foreign soil will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the statement said.
Nahid and Akhtar warned that the government would have to take a strong position if those involved in the Venice attack were not brought to justice through diplomatic and legal channels.
They said the NCP, together with the people of Bangladesh, would resist what it described as allies of “fascism” on domestic and international platforms.
