Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon has alleged that she was harassed and physically assaulted by a group of expatriate Bangladeshis in the Venice area of Italy, where she is attending the Venice International Film Festival.
Badhon said in a Facebook Live broadcast late Monday (September 7) that the incident occurred while she was visiting a local park in Mestre with her brother’s family. She alleged that members of the group threw water or soft drinks and eggs at her and physically confronted her.
She also said she had sought redress from local police following the incident. Bangladeshi media reports differed on whether a formal case had already been filed or further legal action was still being prepared, and there was no immediate independent confirmation from Italian police.
Badhon alleged that people identifying themselves as supporters or activists of the Awami League and its student wing, the Chhatra League, targeted her because she supported the July-August 2024 movement in Bangladesh.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a group confronting Badhon, with some claiming affiliation with the Chhatra League and referring to her as a “July militant”. The footage also appeared to show political slogans being chanted during the confrontation.
Badhon had publicly supported the student-led movement in Bangladesh in 2024 and took part in demonstrations during the unrest. She has alleged that her political stance was behind Monday’s incident.
No formal response from representatives of the Awami League or Chhatra League in the Venice area was immediately available regarding Badhon’s allegations.
Badhon is in Venice in connection with Rubaiyat Hossain’s film “The Difficult Bride”, in which she is a cast member. The film is screening in the Orizzonti section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
Badhon previously gained international recognition for her performance in “Rehana Maryam Noor”, which was selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.
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