Fifteen people have been fined for celebrating the birthday of prominent Argentine footballer Lionel Messi during a lockdown in Bangladesh.
Fifteen people between the ages of 17 and 32 were enjoying cakes and coffee and celebrating Messi’s 33rd birthday when officers raided the cafe and arrested them.
The incident took place on Wednesday and according to Magistrate Faraz Hussain, the men were produced in a mobile court and fined 100 Taka each while the cafe was fined 70 dollars.
The Bangladesh government is gradually easing a lockdown in place since March. The country has officially recorded 1,582 deaths from more than 122,000 cases but experts say the toll is much higher.
Football is popular in the country, although many Bangladeshis support overseas teams or players.
Zahidul Alam, owner of the Old Town Coffee House, where the party was held, said that despite having to pay the fine he felt for the football fans.
“I could not just send them home as they were very excited about Messi’s birthday,” Alam said.
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