Violence erupts in Bangladesh after wounded youth leader dies in S'pore hospital

Thousands take to the streets of Dhaka to demand that his killers be arrested

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Violence broke out in Bangladesh's capital early on Dec 19 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 Mr 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 the authorities, with staff trapped inside.

Mr Hadi was a key figure in the 2024 uprising that ended the autocratic rule of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and sent her fleeing to India. He was running for a Parliament seat in the February 2026 national election.

On Dec 12, Mr 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 Dec 18.

At least three cases of arson were reported in Dhaka after the news of Mr Hadi's death spread, a spokesperson for the Fire Brigade and Civil Defence force told AFP, including a fire at The Daily Star building and another at a building housing the Prothom Alo newspaper.

The two papers are the largest in the South Asian country, but protesters accused them of being aligned with neighbouring India, where Hasina has taken refuge.

Ms Zyma Islam, a reporter for The Daily Star, said she was trapped inside the burning building.