Assault in Italy
Bangladeshi Actress Azmeri Haque Badhan Reports Violent Harassment in Italy
Anonymous
Key Points
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Badhan said the confrontation escalated after the group called her a “July militant”; she responded, “I am definitely a July fighter. I took part in the July movement.”
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According to reports, Badhan’s nephew became frightened and began screaming during the incident, while her brother’s wife was also pushed.
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Badhan said the film’s continued association with director Rubaiyat Hossain was itself relevant to the confrontation, noting that Hossain’s father had been a former Awami League minister but that she was still working with the director after the July movement.
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The Difficult Bride had its world premiere at Sala Darsena at 2:15 p.m. local time on Sept. 6, an appearance described as historic for Bangladesh at the Venice festival.
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Badhan said she feared the attack could have been fatal, saying, “They could have killed me,” and later, “I felt that they might kill me that day.”
Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhan alleged that a group of expatriate Bangladeshis attacked her in a park in Mestre, Italy, throwing water, soft drinks, and eggs while she visited with her brother's family Daily Asian Age. The group, whom Badhan said identified themselves as supporters of the banned Awami League, targeted her for backing Bangladesh's July-August 2024 student-led movement and forced her to chant political slogans while recording the confrontation Daily Tribune 24.
Badhan, in Venice for the world premiere of "The Difficult Bride" at the Venice Film Festival, told police about the assault. She said the attackers struck her near the ear, knocked away her phone, and frightened her young nephew so badly he screamed Daily New Nation. Badhan feared the attack could turn deadly, saying, "They could have killed me."
A Park Confrontation Turns Political
The incident escalated when the group called Badhan a "July militant," referring to her support for the student movement that toppled Bangladesh's government. Badhan responded by confirming her stance: "I am definitely a July fighter. I took part in the July movement" Daily Asian Age. The attackers then forced her to repeat political slogans on camera or livestream while assaulting her.
During the attack, Badhan's nephew became so frightened he began screaming. Her brother's wife was also pushed during the confrontation Daily New Nation. Badhan filed a complaint with local Italian police immediately after the incident.
Film Premiere Marks Historic Moment for Bangladesh
Badhan was in Venice for the world premiere of "The Difficult Bride," directed by Rubaiyat Hossain, which screened in the festival's competitive Orizzonti section on September 6 Daily Tribune 24. The screening marked a historic moment for Bangladeshi cinema at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Badhan noted that Hossain's father had been a former Awami League minister, yet she continued working with the director after the July movement.
Parliament Condemns Attack on Actress
Bangladesh's Parliament expressed deep regret and concern over the assault on Badhan, viewing it as a politically motivated attack linked to her public support for the July movement Daily Asian Age. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir formally condemned the incident in Parliament. Political parties and lawmakers across Bangladesh also denounced the assault as an attack on free expression and political participation Daily New Nation.
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