Background
Civil unrest occurred in Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader associated with the youth movement that led to the 2024 removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hadi was shot by masked individuals last week after departing a mosque in Dhaka. He died on Thursday from his injuries while receiving medical treatment in Singapore.
This incident occurred one day after Bangladeshi authorities had announced the date for forthcoming elections, in which Hadi had planned to participate as an independent candidate.
Events of Unrest
On Thursday, hundreds of Hadi's supporters gathered in a square in Dhaka to protest his death.
Demonstrators subsequently vandalized the offices of the Bangladeshi newspapers The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. One of the buildings sustained fire damage.
A police officer reported, "Hundreds of people have gathered here and carried out the attack." Troops were deployed to the affected areas, and firefighters successfully rescued journalists who were inside the building.
Reactions and Aftermath
Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, was a prominent figure in the student protest group Inqilab Mancha and had been a critic of India, where former Prime Minister Hasina is currently in self-imposed exile.
Bangladeshi political parties expressed condolences regarding Hadi's death and called upon the interim government to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Muhammad Yunus, Nobel laureate and head of the caretaker government, characterized Hadi's death as "an irreparable loss for the nation." He further stated in a televised address on Thursday that "The country's march toward democracy cannot be halted through fear, terror, or bloodshed."
On Saturday, the interim government declared a national day of mourning.