Published : 08 Sep 2026, 07:36 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:48 AM
Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman has said he does not consider the Awami League a political party, but instead a “mafia gang” following an attack on actor Azmeri Haque Badhon in Venice.
He made the comments at the government’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday at the Secretariat, where he discussed progress on government activities.
“I do not consider the Awami League a political party. It’s a ‘mafia gang’,” Zahed said, arguing that the attack on Badhon raised questions about whether the party should be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh.
Badhon, who was attending the Venice Film Festival in Italy, said she had been harassed and physically assaulted by Awami League supporters in Venice’s Mestre late on Monday night Bangladesh time.
In a Facebook Live shortly after the incident, the actor said a group of Awami League activists threw water and Coca-Cola at her.
Zahed said the government had seen videos of the incident, including footage recorded and published by some of those involved.
“I feel like thanking those who did this. They are once again showing us what the Awami League is and who they are,” he said.
He criticised former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, saying that whenever she speaks despite restrictions, she exposes the group's nature.
He said if the Awami League, whose political activities have been banned, genuinely sought a political comeback, such violence would not have occurred.
Asked whether the government would take action over the attack, Zahed said legal proceedings had already begun in accordance with the laws of Italy.
"We will definitely not let this go; this cannot be ignored under any circumstances," he said.
He also described being targeted by the Awami League as an “achievement” and an honour for Badhon, saying it showed she had been on the right path.
Referring to Badhon’s Facebook Live comments about being a “July fighter”, Zahed said many others were similarly prepared to face attacks but “we don’t care”.
“We did not care about Sheikh Hasina… we forced her and her entire family to flee, and if some thugs create trouble in a park, we don’t care,” he said.
