Bangladesh Actor Harassed in Venice

Bangladeshi actor Azmeri Haque Badhon has alleged that she was physically harassed in Venice, Italy, while attending the Venice International Film Festival. She said a group of expatriate Bangladeshis, who identified themselves as supporters of the Awami League, threw water and Coke at her and attacked her.

The incident took place on Monday night, September 7, while Badhon was staying in Venice for the festival. She later went live from her verified Facebook page and described the incident in detail. She also shared several videos of the alleged harassment.

Badhon said she had gone to a park with her brother’s family. According to her, several Bangladeshis approached her and physically harassed her.

“They raised their hands at me, dropped my phone and hit me near my ear,” Badhon said.

She also said her sister-in-law was pushed during the incident.

Badhon alleged that the attack was linked to her active participation in the July-August 2024 student-led mass movement in Bangladesh. She said some of the attackers identified themselves as members of the Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League, both currently banned in Bangladesh, and as “soldiers of Bangabandhu.”

“They said I am a July warrior. Yes, I am. I definitely took part in the July movement,” she said.

According to Badhon, the group also forced her to say “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.” She said the attackers recorded the incident and streamed it live on social media.

Videos circulating on social media show a group of people throwing water at Badhon. The footage also shows an apparent attempt to physically attack her. A man carrying a child can be seen trying to stop the attack. His wife was also present and attempted to restrain the attackers. Badhon later identified the couple in a Facebook post as her cousin and his family.

Some members of the group also appeared to livestream the incident on Facebook. One of them can be heard calling Badhon a “July terrorist” and making political accusations against her. He also identified himself and the group as “Venice Chhatra League” and “soldiers of Bangabandhu.”

Another statement in the video says, “We are the Italy Chhatra League! We are soldiers of Bangabandhu!” The person also called for eggs to be brought during the incident.

Addressing the attackers, Badhon said, “It will not be easy to silence one Azmeri Haque Badhon.”

She said the incident showed people around the world that a Bangladeshi actor representing the country had been harassed.

Badhon also criticized the attackers for targeting her without knowing about the film she was representing at the festival. She pointed out that The Difficult Bride was directed by Rubaiyat Hossain, whose father had served as a minister in the Awami League government.

“I worked with him, and I worked with him after July,” she said.

In an interview with former journalist Najmus Sakib, Badhon said police arrived after receiving a phone call. They took her to a police station and later moved her to a safe location.

Badhon said she intends to seek legal action in Italy.

“I hope I will get justice here. I will file a complaint and a case, and then I will leave this country,” she said.

She also said she would inform the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy and ask it to follow up on the case. Badhon said she expects legal action against those involved if they are found to have committed an offence, regardless of their immigration status.

Badhon was active on the streets during the 2024 student-led mass movement. She also spoke publicly to international media about the political situation in Bangladesh at the time.

Known internationally for Rehana Maryam Noor, Badhon is currently attending the Venice International Film Festival with the team of The Difficult Bride, directed by Rubaiyat Hossain. The film has been selected for the festival’s competitive Orizzonti section.

The film had its world premiere at Sala Darsena on September 6. Its four leading female roles are played by Zainin Karim, Rikita Nandini Shimu, Sunerah Binte Kamal and Azmeri Haque Badhon.
//DBTech/SCDR/DSE/FOE//