Bangladesh Says It Was Not Informed of Citizens' Execution by Saudi Arabia

Bangladeshi authorities stated they were not notified of the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia until after the event had occurred, according to local media reports. The Saudi Interior Ministry confirmed that a Bangladeshi man and woman were executed last Wednesday after being convicted of committing an "indecent act" inside a mosque. The specific nature of the act was not detailed by the ministry.

Bangladesh has formally approached the Saudi Arabian government to request further information regarding the case. The two Muslim-majority nations maintain a close relationship, bolstered by shared religious affiliation and significant economic ties. More than three million Bangladeshis reside and work in Saudi Arabia, primarily in low-wage positions, and the news of the double execution has prompted public concern within Bangladesh.

According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, the two individuals received death sentences under "tazir," a category in Islamic law where punishments are left to the discretion of the judge. The ministry's statement indicated the severity of the offense and the violation of the mosque's sanctity as reasons for the sentencing.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated that the government is committed to protecting the welfare and interests of Bangladeshis abroad. She added that the government would determine subsequent actions, such as the repatriation of the bodies, once details are received from Saudi authorities. Reports from The Daily Star indicate that while Saudi Arabia had provided Bangladesh with a list of prisoners upon the request of the Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah, this list did not specify that the two individuals in question had been sentenced to death.

This incident is not the first time Saudi authorities have executed foreign nationals. Amnesty International reports that the country has executed approximately 100 people this year, with many of these individuals being foreigners convicted of drug-related offenses. In 2011, eight Bangladeshi men were publicly executed in Riyadh after being found guilty of murder. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia overturned a death sentence for a Sri Lankan man who had been convicted of blasphemy for a Facebook comment. That decision followed public outcry in Sri Lanka and diplomatic efforts seeking clemency.