A Bangladeshi migrant worker in Romania | Photo: Tiberiu Stoichici/DW
A Bangladeshi migrant worker in Romania | Photo: Tiberiu Stoichici/DW

A brutal attack on a Bangladeshi delivery worker in Bucharest has sparked a debate about rising racism and extremism in Romania. DW spoke to victims, activists and police officers about recent developments.

In late August 2025, Bucharest, Romania's capital, was the scene of a violent hate crime: Ismail Hossain, a Bangladeshi delivery worker, was assaulted on the street while at work.

The incident, filmed by the assailant, drew attention to growing cases of racism and xenophobia. Accounts range from off-duty police interventions to NGO reports on migrant workers’ experiences, highlighting the difficulties faced by foreigners in Romania and the wider social tensions around immigration and integration.

Report: Tiberiu Stoichici

First published: September 8, 2025

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Source: dw.com