Immigration officers at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport stopped popular Bangladeshi actress Nusraat Faria on Sunday morning. She was trying to board a flight to Thailand, according to a report by Dhaka Tribune. Authorities detained her due to her alleged involvement in an attempted murder case tied to last year’s Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Arrest linked to violent 2024 protests

Faria, who is 31 years old, was caught at the airport's immigration checkpoint. Officials said an arrest warrant had already been issued against her. The charges are linked to violent clashes during the July 2024 anti-government protests. These protests eventually forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and leave the country.

Accused of helping government crackdowns

The case was filed at Vatara Police Station. It claims Faria provided financial support to the ruling Awami League during their pushback against student-led protests. Moreover, the case also accuses her of indirectly supporting violent actions by the authorities. She is one of several well-known people named in the case. It includes serious allegations of attempted murder during the height of the demonstrations.

Police confirm arrest and transfer to DB office

Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Badda Zone, Shafiqul Islam, confirmed her arrest to Prothom Alo. After her detention at the airport, police took Faria to Vatara Police Station. Later, they moved her to the Detective Branch (DB) office of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for further questioning.

Faria’s rise to stardom

Nusraat Faria began her career as a radio jockey. Soon, she moved into TV and film, becoming a national celebrity. She debuted in acting with Aashiqui: True Love in 2015, a joint production between India and Bangladesh.

Played Hasina in political biopic

Her most talked-about role came in 2023, when she played Sheikh Hasina in Mujib: The Making of a Nation. Directed by Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal, the film was a biopic on Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It received both praise and criticism. The release stirred controversy as it came during a politically unstable period that led to Hasina’s fall from power.