Bangladesh, Sept. 8 -- Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman has said he does not consider the Awami League a political party, but instead a "mafia gang" following an attack on actor Azmeri Haque Badhon in Venice.

He made the comments at the government's weekly press briefing on Tuesday at the Secretariat, where he discussed progress on government activities.

"I do not consider the Awami League a political party. It's a 'mafia gang'," Zahed said, arguing that the attack on Badhon raised questions about whether the party should be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh.

Badhon, who was attending the Venice Film Festival in Italy, said she had been harassed and physically assaulted by Awami League supporters in Venic...