Bangladesh has formally asked Saudi Arabia to explain why two of its citizens were executed on October 14 without Dhaka or its mission in Riyadh being told in advance. Dhaka is seeking the court verdicts, details of the alleged offence and an account of the judicial process.
What Happened
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said a Bangladeshi man and woman were executed after being convicted of an “indecent act” inside a mosque in Makkah.
The ministry did not specify the act. Reports describing it as a kiss remain unverified. Saudi authorities named the two as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar. Bangladesh says it learned of the executions only after they were carried out.
Dhaka’s Demands
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh has sent formal inquiries seeking:
- Copies of the lower-court and appellate-court verdicts
- Details of the alleged offence and the evidence behind the conviction
- An explanation of the arrest, trial, sentencing and appeal process
- Clarification on why neither the foreign ministry nor the Bangladesh mission was informed beforehand
- Details of the two individuals’ backgrounds, employment and length of stay in Saudi Arabia
Dhaka has also raised the matter directly with Saudi Ambassador Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah.
Saudi Position
Saudi officials say the two were convicted after judicial proceedings, that an appellate panel upheld the death sentences, and that the executions were authorised by royal order.
Reports citing Saudi diplomatic sources say they were hanged. As of the latest reports, Riyadh had not publicly responded to Dhaka’s requests for the judgments and case documents.
Questions Still Unanswered
The central diplomatic issue is the apparent lack of advance consular notification. Questions also remain over whether the accused had adequate legal representation, interpreters and a meaningful chance to appeal. These cannot be assessed without the full court records Dhaka has requested.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia is one of Bangladesh’s largest labour destinations, so the treatment and legal protection of Bangladeshi migrant workers is a sensitive bilateral issue. Dhaka says it will decide its next steps only after reviewing the documents and speaking with Saudi authorities.
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