Attack on Shakib’s House: Awami League Says It Was Retaliation for Attending Hasina’s Press Conference

Dhaka: The residence of former Bangladesh cricket captain and former Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan was attacked with petrol bombs on Wednesday night. The attack reportedly took place at around 8:45 pm at his house in the Keshab Mor area of Magura town.

According to reports, the attackers also vandalised the property during the assault.

The incident occurred shortly after Shakib participated in a virtual press conference addressed by former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. The virtual media interaction was organised at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in New Delhi.

In a statement, the Awami League alleged that the attack was an act of retaliation for Shakib's participation in the party's press conference. The party described the incident as further evidence of what it called violence and fascist actions targeting Awami League leaders and supporters in the name of restoring democracy.

During the press conference, Sheikh Hasina announced that she intended to return to Bangladesh in December, saying she would return to restore democracy and secularism in the country.

Besides Shakib Al Hasan, the virtual press conference was also attended by Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has expressed their protest over Hasina's press meet. The foreign ministry said the event undermined Bangladesh’s sovereignty and came at a time when Dhaka had been seeking Hasina’s extradition from India. While expressing a desire to maintain cooperation with New Delhi, Bangladesh said the development had affected efforts to rebuild bilateral goodwill.