The government of Bangladesh has requested an explanation from Saudi Arabia following the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in the holy city of Makkah, after authorities reportedly failed to notify the country’s diplomatic mission before carrying out the sentences.
The executions took place on October 14, 2026, after a Saudi court convicted the pair of committing what officials described as an indecent act inside a mosque in Makkah.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior identified the individuals as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, both citizens of Bangladesh. However, the ministry did not disclose the specific nature of the alleged act, identify the mosque where the incident occurred or provide details about when the pair were arrested.
According to the Saudi authorities, the two individuals were arrested following an investigation and subsequently charged before a competent court. The court found them guilty and imposed the death penalty under ta’zir, a form of punishment under Islamic law that allows judicial discretion in determining the offence and its penalty.
The ministry stated that the verdicts were upheld by the relevant judicial authority before a royal order authorised their implementation.
BANGLADESH SEEKS CLARIFICATION
The executions have raised concerns in Dhaka, particularly over the apparent lack of prior notification to Bangladesh’s diplomatic representatives in Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested copies of the court judgments, further details about the offences and an explanation for why the country’s diplomatic mission was not informed before the executions.
Reports from Bangladesh indicate that the country’s consulate in Jeddah learned of the executions through media reports citing an announcement from the Saudi Ministry of Interior.
The consulate subsequently submitted a diplomatic note requesting official confirmation and further information about the cases.
Bangladeshi officials have said the government will determine its next steps after receiving the requested documents and discussing the matter with Saudi authorities.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASES
Additional information reported by Bangladeshi media indicates that the two individuals had previously appeared on a list of Bangladeshi nationals held in prisons in western Saudi Arabia. However, the list reportedly did not disclose that they had received death sentences.
The circumstances surrounding their detention, the precise allegations against them, the proceedings that led to their convictions and the extent of any consular assistance remain subjects of concern.
The Saudi government’s public statement did not provide a detailed account of the evidence presented during the trial or explain the specific circumstances that led the court to impose capital punishment.
Until the requested court documents and official explanations become available, important questions about the proceedings and the handling of the cases remain unanswered.
A SENSITIVE ISSUE FOR BOTH COUNTRIES
Saudi Arabia is a major destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, with millions of Bangladeshi nationals living and working in the kingdom. Their welfare, legal protection and access to consular assistance remain important issues in relations between the two countries.
The case has therefore drawn attention not only to the use of the death penalty but also to communication between Saudi authorities and the diplomatic representatives of foreign nationals facing serious criminal charges.
For Bangladesh, obtaining the relevant judgments and understanding why its mission was not informed beforehand will be central to its assessment of the incident.
As diplomatic discussions continue, further details are expected to clarify the circumstances of the convictions, the legal process followed and the reasons behind the executions.
