![An activist holds a poster of Sharif Osman Hadi, senior leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, in Dhaka, Bangladesh [File: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP]](https://ras.mv/storage/tVpcIcTV74cocE1nv0RgWfuVG8Vo9VBUGtdZ5pVS.jpg)
Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a prominent leader of Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising who was critically wounded in an assassination attempt, has died, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. “Despite the best efforts of the doctors … Hadi succumbed to his injuries,” the ministry said in a statement.
Hadi, 32, was shot in the head on December 12 in Dhaka while riding in an auto-rickshaw. The gunman fired from a motorcycle, and Hadi was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. After suffering brain stem damage, he was transferred to Singapore General Hospital’s neurosurgical ICU on December 15 for advanced care.
A senior leader of the protest group Inqilab Mancha and a vocal critic of regional political influence, Hadi was reportedly being considered as a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 seat in next year’s national elections.
In a Facebook post, Inqilab Mancha called Hadi a “martyr” in the struggle against what it described as external influence. Police have released images of two suspects and offered a reward for information leading to their arrest. At least 20 people have been detained in connection with the case as investigations continue.
National figures expressed condolences, with interim government head Muhammad Yunus calling Hadi’s death an “irreparable loss” and pledging that “the country’s march towards democracy cannot be halted through fear or bloodshed.” The government announced a half-day of mourning and special prayers following Friday services.
Protests erupted across Dhaka after news of his death, with demonstrators clashing with authorities and storming media offices in the city. The interim government condemned the violence and reiterated its commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
Hadi, 32, was shot in the head on December 12 in Dhaka while riding in an auto-rickshaw. The gunman fired from a motorcycle, and Hadi was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. After suffering brain stem damage, he was transferred to Singapore General Hospital’s neurosurgical ICU on December 15 for advanced care.
A senior leader of the protest group Inqilab Mancha and a vocal critic of regional political influence, Hadi was reportedly being considered as a potential candidate for the Dhaka-8 seat in next year’s national elections.
In a Facebook post, Inqilab Mancha called Hadi a “martyr” in the struggle against what it described as external influence. Police have released images of two suspects and offered a reward for information leading to their arrest. At least 20 people have been detained in connection with the case as investigations continue.
National figures expressed condolences, with interim government head Muhammad Yunus calling Hadi’s death an “irreparable loss” and pledging that “the country’s march towards democracy cannot be halted through fear or bloodshed.” The government announced a half-day of mourning and special prayers following Friday services.
Protests erupted across Dhaka after news of his death, with demonstrators clashing with authorities and storming media offices in the city. The interim government condemned the violence and reiterated its commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
