Actress Azmeri Haque Badhon was physically assaulted and harassed in Italy while attending the Venice International Film Festival, with attackers throwing water, soft drinks and eggs at her and trying to force her to chant political slogans.
Badhon alleged that she was targeted over her active role in the July-August 2024 movement and that some of the attackers identified themselves as Awami League and Chhatra League activists.
She said they tried to force her to chant “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” while attempting to record and livestream the incident.
Badhon subsequently posted videos of the confrontation on her verified Facebook page.
In the footage, several people can be seen approaching her amid an agitated exchange, while some can be heard referring to her as a “July militant.”
The attack, which took place in Mestre on Monday night while Badhon was at a park with her brother and his family, has since turned into a diplomatic issue, with Bangladesh saying it will raise the matter “very strongly” with the Italian Foreign Ministry and pursue legal action against those responsible.
The incident also reverberated through the National Parliament on Tuesday, where lawmakers demanded action and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan were in contact with Badhon and providing consular assistance.
Govt takes up issue with Italy
The incident triggered immediate political reaction in Dhaka.
State Minister Kobir told the National Parliament that he had spoken to Badhon on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and assured her of the government’s full cooperation.
He said he had also spoken to the foreign secretary and instructed officials to ensure that Italian police were informed and Badhon received the necessary assistance.
The state minister said Badhon would file a formal complaint with the police and the embassy, and that Bangladesh would take up the matter strongly with the Italian Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, BNP MP Zaharat Adib Chowdhury and NCP MP Akhtar Hossain raised the incident on points of order, seeking to know what measures the government was taking.
Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal described the incident as “inexcusable” and “condemnable” and asked the government to keep Parliament informed about the steps taken and subsequent progress.
‘We will not let this go’
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman also said legal action in Italy had begun and vowed that the government would pursue the case.
“We will definitely not let this go. This cannot be left out in any way,” he told reporters at the Secretariat.
He sharply criticised the Awami League over the incident, describing it as a “mafia gang” rather than a political party.
His comments followed Badhon’s allegation that people identifying themselves with the party were among those who attacked her.
The attack has also drawn condemnation from figures in Bangladesh’s film industry, including filmmakers Ashfaque Nipun and Shankha Dasgupta, who raised concerns over the harassment of a Bangladeshi artist while she was abroad representing the country’s cinema.
Badhon travelled to Italy as part of the team of Rubaiyat Hossain’s film “The Difficult Bride,” which is participating in the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
Its world premiere was held at the Sala Darsena Theatre on September 6.
The actress was active during the July-August 2024 movement and spoke to both domestic and international media during the protests.
