Hadi, who was injured in an assassination attempt last week, died in a hospital in Singapore on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Thousands of protesters poured into the streets on Friday, December 19, demanding justice for Hadi and the arrest of his killers.
Thousands of protesters poured into the streets on Friday, December 19, demanding justice for Hadi and the arrest of his killers.
The demonstrations quickly turned violent, with several buildings set on fire, including offices of the country’s leading newspapers, the Daily Star and Prothom Alo. Staff were trapped inside during the attacks.
Hadi played a major role in the uprising that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. At the time of his death, he was running for a parliamentary seat in the February 2026 national election.
Hadi was shot by masked attackers on December 12, 2025, as he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka. He was immediately airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries after several days in hospital.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, expressed concern over Hadi’s death and called for a prompt and impartial investigation.
Hadi played a major role in the uprising that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. At the time of his death, he was running for a parliamentary seat in the February 2026 national election.
Hadi was shot by masked attackers on December 12, 2025, as he was leaving a mosque in Dhaka. He was immediately airlifted to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries after several days in hospital.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, expressed concern over Hadi’s death and called for a prompt and impartial investigation.
“I urge the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent inquiry into the attack and ensure accountability for those responsible,” he said.
Following the announcement of his death, at least three major fires were reported in Dhaka. Protesters targeted media houses, accusing them of being aligned with India, where Hasina had taken refuge.
Following the announcement of his death, at least three major fires were reported in Dhaka. Protesters targeted media houses, accusing them of being aligned with India, where Hasina had taken refuge.
Hundreds of demonstrators also blocked roads, including a key highway leading from Dhaka, and attempted to stage a sit-in outside the residence of India’s deputy ambassador to Bangladesh. Police used teargas to disperse the crowds.
Zyma Islam, a reporter for the Daily Star, described being trapped inside the burning building.
Zyma Islam, a reporter for the Daily Star, described being trapped inside the burning building.
“I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me,” she wrote on social media.
Firefighters later brought the blaze under control, but 27 employees remained inside during the chaos.
Ahmed Deepto, another reporter, said the protesters chanted slogans as staff took refuge at the rear of the building. The unrest spread to other cities, including Chattogram, where protesters attacked the home of a former minister.
Hadi’s death has intensified political tensions in Bangladesh. Protesters accused the authorities of failing to protect pro-democracy activists and demanded justice for Hadi. Many expressed anger at media houses they believed were biased in favor of Hasina’s allies.
