Bangladesh
Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha platform, has died after being shot. He passed away on Thursday night at around 9:45 pm while receiving treatment in Singapore. An official involved in overseeing his medical care abroad confirmed the matter, while Inqilab Mancha also announced his death through its official Facebook page.
Earlier, the Chief Adviser’s press wing had stated that Hadi’s physical condition was extremely critical following the shooting, triggering widespread concern about his survival. Since then, many people had taken to social media to express prayers and anxiety for his recovery.
Hadi had recently remained in the public spotlight for his outspoken criticism of the Awami League and India. He was shot in the head on December 12, a day after the announcement of the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and a proposed referendum. The attack took place on Box Culvert Road in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan area.
Investigators later identified a leader of the banned student wing of the Awami League as the suspected shooter. According to discussions among law enforcement sources, the suspect fled to India following the incident.
A potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, Hadi was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition. As his health deteriorated, he was transferred to a private hospital in the capital. Under a government initiative, he was later flown to Singapore by air ambulance on Monday for advanced treatment.
The shooting triggered widespread concern and political tension across the country. Several political parties, including the BNP, described the incident as a deliberate attempt to derail the electoral process. Many also expressed fears that covert attacks and acts of sabotage could intensify ahead of the election.
About a month before the attack, Hadi had publicly disclosed that he was receiving death threats. In a Facebook post published in November, he claimed that he had been threatened through phone calls and messages from at least 30 local and foreign numbers. He alleged that supporters of the Awami League were monitoring him but vowed not to retreat from what he described as his fight for justice.
Later on Thursday night, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the nation and announced a state mourning on Saturday in memory of Sharif Osman bin Hadi. He said the national flag would be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational establishments, and Bangladesh missions abroad.
The Chief Adviser also announced that special prayers would be held after Friday’s Jumma prayers at mosques across the country, seeking forgiveness for Hadi’s soul. Similar prayer arrangements would be held at places of worship of other religions.
Professor Yunus expressed deep condolences to Hadi’s wife, family members and colleagues, and prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased. He further said that the government would take responsibility for the welfare of Hadi’s wife and his only child.
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