Avijit Roy, a prominent Bangladeshi-American blogger known for speaking out against religious extremism, was attacked by machete-wielding assailants while on his way back from a book fair at Dhaka University two days ago.

His wife and fellow blogger Rafida Ahmed also sustained severe injuries in the attack and is in a critical condition at a Dhaka hospital.

Avijit and Rafida’s daughter wrote a touching note on Facebook less than a day after the attack.

The brutal attack was condemned around the world.

“The United States condemns in the strongest terms the brutal murder of Avijit Roy, which was horrific in its brutality and cowardice. Avijit was a journalist, a humanist, a husband, and a friend, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. He was taken from us in a shocking act of violence. This was not just an attack against a person, but a cowardly assault on the universal principles enshrined in Bangladesh’s constitution and the country’s proud tradition of free intellectual and religious discourse”
- US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Avijit, and we are hopeful that Rafida will make a full and speedy recovery. We urge the Bangladeshi police to conduct a thorough and swift investigation and find those responsible for this heinous attack.”
- Samir Kalra, Hindu American Foundation (HAF)’s senior director for Human Rights.

Hundreds of protesters rallied in Dhaka to denounce the murder.

“Avijit’s killing once again proved that there is a culture of impunity in the country. The government must arrest the killers in 24 hours or face non-stop protests. The attack on Roy and his wife, Rafida Ahmed, is outrageous. We strongly protest this attack and are deeply concerned about the safety of writers.”
- Imran Sarker, the head of the Bangladesh bloggers’ association to AFP

“Dr Roy was a true ally, a courageous and eloquent defender of reason, science, and free expression, in a country where those values have been under heavy attack.”
- Center for Inquiry, a US-based charity promoting free thought