Full Breakdown
Assault on Bangladeshi Actress Azmeri Haque Badhon at Venice Film Festival
9/8/2026, 11:33:19 AM
Core Event
Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon reported that she was harassed and physically assaulted by a group of individuals identifying as supporters of Bangladesh’s Awami League and its student wing, the Chhatra League, while she was in a public park in the Venice area of Italy. The incident occurred on September 7, when Badhon was visiting the park with her brother’s family. She said she was struck near her ear, had her mobile phone thrown away, and witnessed eggs, water and soft drinks being thrown at her.
Background & Context
Badhon was in Venice to represent Bangladesh at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, where she appears in the film “The Difficult Bride” directed by Rubaiyat Hossain. The film had its world premiere on September 6 at Sala Darsena, marking a historic appearance for Bangladesh at the festival. Badhon has publicly supported the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh and has participated in related demonstrations. The alleged attackers demanded that she chant pro-Awami League slogans and referred to her as a “July militant” and a “traitor”.
Key Figures & Groups
- Azmeri Haque Badhon — Bangladeshi actress, cast member of “The Difficult Bride”.
- Rubaiyat Hossain — Bangladeshi director of “The Difficult Bride”.
- Awami League — Bangladesh’s ruling political party; its supporters were alleged to have carried out the assault.
- Chhatra League — Student wing of the Awami League; attackers identified themselves as members.
Timeline
- September 6 (occurred) – “The Difficult Bride” world-premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
- September 7 (occurred) – Badhon reported the assault during a Facebook Live broadcast and said she filed a written complaint with local Venice police.
Official Statements & Responses
No official comment from Venice police, the Awami League, or the Chhatra League was available at the time of reporting. Badhon herself stated that she had filed a written complaint seeking legal action.
On-the-Ground Reports
Video footage posted on social media shows a group confronting Badhon, with some participants shouting political slogans and calling her a “July militant”. The video also appears to capture the throwing of eggs, water and soft drinks.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Another source notes that Bangladeshi media reports differed on whether a formal case had been filed and that there was no immediate independent confirmation from Italian police.
- Verification: No independent verification from Italian authorities has been reported, leaving the exact legal status of the incident unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My brother's little child was with us. They hit me, threw my phone away and struck me near my ear,” — Azmeri Haque Badhan
What’s Next
Badhon indicated that she has sought police involvement, but no further details on investigations or potential legal proceedings have been disclosed. Future updates may depend on actions taken by Venice law enforcement.
