Bangladesh Awaits Saudi Response Over Execution of Two Nationals

Bangladesh says it is yet to receive an official response from Saudi Arabia over the execution of two of its nationals, which Dhaka says was carried out without prior notification to its government or diplomatic mission.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim confirmed on Wednesday, October 21, that Saudi authorities had not responded to Bangladesh’s request for clarification concerning the executions, which took place on October 14.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, said the government had formally requested details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including copies of the court verdicts, the specific offences involved and an explanation for why the country’s diplomatic mission was not informed.

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said the two Bangladeshi nationals, a man and a woman, were executed after being convicted of committing what it described as an “indecent act” inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah. The ministry did not publicly specify the exact nature of the act.

According to Saudi authorities, the pair were tried and sentenced to death under ta’zir, a category of punishment in Islamic law that allows judicial discretion in determining penalties for certain offences.

Bangladesh said it learned of the executions on October 14 and had not received detailed official information about the legal proceedings beforehand. Its diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia is also seeking formal confirmation and documentation concerning the case.

The lack of notification has raised questions about consular communication and the protection of Bangladeshi citizens facing criminal proceedings abroad. However, the full circumstances of the case, including the details of the trial and whether the individuals received consular assistance, remain unclear.

The incident has drawn particular attention because Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market, with an estimated 3.5 million Bangladeshi workers living and working in the Kingdom. Their remittances are an important source of income for families and contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economy.

Despite the dispute, Bangladeshi officials have stressed the importance of maintaining relations with Riyadh. The government says it will consider its next steps after receiving the requested information and holding further discussions with Saudi authorities.

The Saudi embassy in Dhaka had not immediately responded to a request for comment, according to Reuters.

Bangladesh is also seeking information about the identities and circumstances of the two nationals, as well as arrangements relating to the return of their bodies.

For now, Dhaka says it is waiting for an official explanation before deciding how to proceed diplomatically.