Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon has formally filed a case with Italian authorities over an alleged attack by Awami League activists in Venice, with video footage of the suspected perpetrators handed over to police, according to Golam Mortoza, Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.

Mortoza said he spoke with Badhon over the phone on Tuesday and received a detailed account of the latest developments.

Two officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy travelled to Venice on Tuesday and accompanied Badhon to a police station, where she completed the process of filing the case with Italian police, he said.

Video footage showing the alleged attackers has also been provided to investigators, Mortoza said.

The incident has received coverage in mainstream Italian media and drawn the attention of the Venice Film Festival, where Badhon is an invited guest.

According to Mortoza, festival organisers have taken the attack “extremely seriously” and separately informed police because it involved one of their invited guests.

Badhon had originally planned to stay in Venice for two days. Following the incident, however, festival authorities told her she could remain for as long as she wished and that they would make the necessary arrangements, Mortoza said.

Badhon is expected to return to Dhaka after the festival, but the case will continue in Italy. Police will remain in contact with the Bangladesh Embassy and Badhon’s brother as the investigation proceeds.

Italian police have also told Badhon that she may have to return to Venice at a later stage to testify and asked whether she would be willing to do so.

“Of course I will,” Mortoza quoted Badhon as saying.

Mortoza said the Bangladesh government was taking the matter “very seriously,” but declined to disclose further details, saying they would be made public at an appropriate time.

Badhon also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Foreign Ministry, particularly State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir — the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy, Bangladeshi expatriates in Italy and others who stood by her following the attack, Mortoza said.

Badhon earlier alleged that she and members of her family were attacked and harassed in Mestre by people identifying themselves as Awami League and Chhatra League activists.

The Bangladesh government has said its missions in Italy are providing her consular assistance and that the matter will be raised with Italian authorities.

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