Actress Azmeri Haque Badhon, who was attacked by activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League in Venice, Italy, on Monday, said she feared the attackers might kill her, judging by the way they assaulted her.

Badhon said the attackers threw water, soft drinks and eggs at her and physically assaulted her.

“They hit me, knocked my phone to the ground and struck me near my ear,” she said in a Facebook Live video following the attack.

Badhon’s brother’s young child was with them during the incident. In a video of the incident, someone can be heard trying to stop the attackers, referring to the presence of the child.

In response, one of the attackers can be heard saying, “What child? She has to say ‘Joy Bangla.’”

In videos shared by people identifying themselves as Awami League activists, they claimed the attack was carried out on behalf of the Awami League’s Italy unit.

Badhon’s sister-in-law was also shoved by the attackers.

“They said that I am a July warrior. Yes, I am. I certainly took part in the July Uprising,” Badhon said.

“It is not easy to hold me back through attacks.”

Addressing the attackers, Badhon further said, “You should have moved on from this irrational behavior, but you failed to do so. You may have thought that by acting this way, you could rebuild your position later on. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Badhon was actively involved in the streets during the student-led mass uprising of July–August 2024 and spoke in support of the movement to both local and international media outlets.

She said the attackers hurled derogatory slurs at her, including “Khanki-Magi”, which she described as language “they always use.”

“And still they want to say that women in Bangladesh will stay safe under them,” she said.

Badhon travelled to Italy to attend the screening of The Difficult Bride, directed by Rubaiyat Hossain, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. She is currently staying in the city of Mestre.

The attack and harassment took place on Monday night when she went to a local park with her brother and his family.