Violent protests in Bangladesh after pro-democracy figure dies in hospital

"Violence broke out in Bangladesh's capital early on Friday after a youth leader of the country's 2024 pro-democracy uprising who was injured in an assassination attempt died in a hospital in Singapore. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Dhaka after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was announced, to demand that his killers be arrested. Several buildings in the capital, including those housing the country's two leading newspapers, were set on fire, according to authorities, with staff trapped inside."

"Hadi was a key figure in last year's uprising that ended the autocratic rule of the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and sent her fleeing to India. He was running for a parliament seat in the February 2026 national election. On 12 December, Hadi was shot by masked assailants as he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka. He was airlifted to a hospital in Singapore for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday."

"At least three cases of arson were reported in Dhaka after the news of his death spread early Friday, a spokesperson for the fire brigade and civil defence force said, including a fire at the Daily Star building and another at a building housing the Prothom Alo newspaper. Violence was reported in a number of cities across Bangladesh, including Chattogram."

Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old youth leader from the 2024 pro-democracy uprising, died in a Singapore hospital after being shot by masked assailants on 12 December. Hadi had been airlifted to Singapore for treatment and was running for a parliament seat in the February 2026 election. Thousands of protesters rallied in Dhaka demanding arrests of his killers, and violence spread to other cities including Chattogram. At least three arson attacks were reported in Dhaka, with fires at buildings housing the Daily Star and Prothom Alo and staff trapped inside. Protesters accused the two leading papers of being aligned with India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge.

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