Bandhan Attack in Italy ‘Proof She Was on the Right Path’: Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Tuesday that an attack on actress Azmeri Haque Bandhan in Italy showed she had been on the right path, describing the alleged perpetrators as members of what he called a “mafia gang.”
Speaking at a government news conference at the Secretariat, Zahed Ur Rahman said the government would not let the incident go without legal action and that authorities had begun the process of pursuing the matter in Italy.
“I would tell Azmeri Haque Bandhan that this is a kind of achievement, an honor,” Zahed Ur Rahman said. “Being harassed by the Awami League, being targeted by a mafia gang, proves that you were on the right path.”
Zahed Ur Rahman said he did not consider the Awami League, whose activities have been banned, to be a political party. He repeatedly described it as a “mafia gang” and said the incident involving Bandhan was evidence supporting that characterization.
He also questioned whether the Awami League should be treated as a political party with political rights and allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh.
Referring to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Zahed Ur Rahman said that if she had any genuine remorse over events during her tenure or intended to return to politics, such acts of violence would not have occurred.
Bandhan said in a Facebook post that she was attacked and harassed while in Italy. She also posted video footage of the incident.
According to Bandhan, people threw water, soft drinks and eggs at her and physically harassed her. She alleged that she was targeted because of her active role in Bangladesh’s July-August 2024 student-led uprising.
Bandhan said some of those involved identified themselves as supporters of the Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League, both of which have been banned, as well as “soldiers of Bangabandhu,” a reference to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She also alleged that the attackers pressured her to say, “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and attempted to record and livestream the incident on social media.
The allegations have prompted the Bangladeshi government to pursue legal action in Italy, Zahed Ur Rahman said, adding that the government was prepared to take further steps over the incident.
