Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshis in Mecca, Dhaka Demands Explanation
An illustration of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia amid calls for clarification regarding the execution of two Bangladeshi citizens.
DHAKA – Bangladesh has sought an official explanation from Saudi Arabia following the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in the Mecca region on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Dhaka raised concerns after learning that neither its government nor its diplomatic mission had been notified before the sentences were carried out.
The two individuals were identified by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior as Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.
Saudi authorities said they had been convicted of committing what the ministry described as immoral acts inside a mosque in Mecca.
According to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), security authorities arrested the pair before referring their case to court.
The court subsequently sentenced them to death under ta'zir, a form of discretionary punishment under Islamic law.
The verdict became final after approval by the relevant judicial authorities, and a royal order authorized its implementation.
However, the Saudi statement did not specify the exact nature of the alleged acts, identify the mosque, or disclose when the two individuals had been arrested.
The executions prompted diplomatic concern after Bangladesh's Consulate General in Jeddah said it had received no prior notification about the proceedings or the implementation of the sentences.
Dhaka subsequently submitted a diplomatic note requesting information about the charges, trial, court rulings and the reasons its diplomatic representatives had not been informed.
On Sunday, October 18, a senior Bangladeshi foreign ministry official met the Saudi ambassador in Dhaka to discuss the case.
As of Monday, October 19, Bangladesh was still awaiting a copy of the court verdict and a fuller official explanation from Saudi authorities.
The Daily Star also reported that the two individuals had previously appeared on a prisoner list shared with Bangladesh's diplomatic mission. However, the document did not indicate that they had received death sentences.
The incident has renewed attention on consular communication and access to legal information for foreign nationals facing serious criminal proceedings overseas.
Bangladesh has emphasized that its citizens must respect the laws of their host countries while continuing to seek clarification about the circumstances surrounding the executions.
Editor :Farros
Source : Sources: Saudi Press Agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Associated Press, The Daily Star, bdnews24
