Ex-Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib's home attacked after joining Hasina's first public media event since ouster

The ancestral home of former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan came under attack, with assailants smashing windows and hurling petrol bombs. The incident occurred in Magura town, located approximately 170 kilometers southwest of the capital, Dhaka.

This act of vandalism followed Shakib's participation in a virtual media event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia. During the event, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in Bangladesh, reiterated her determination to return to the country. Shakib, a former lawmaker for Hasina's Awami League party, joined the event remotely from outside Bangladesh.

Police reported that a group of individuals targeted Shakib's residence on Wednesday. The attack caused a fire on the upper floor of the property, which was unoccupied at the time. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Shakib has been residing outside Bangladesh since a student-led uprising led to Hasina's removal from power in early 2024.

The attack on Shakib's home appears to be linked to his association with Hasina and his participation in the event where she declared her intention to return. It highlights the volatile political climate in Bangladesh and the strong reactions that public figures can face when associated with political factions, particularly those in opposition or facing legal challenges.