Bangladesh's diplomatic standoff with Saudi Arabia over the Bangladesh Saudi execution of two nationals deepened on Tuesday, with Dhaka saying Riyadh has still not answered its formal queries about why two of its citizens were put to death in Makkah without the Bangladeshi mission being notified. The two were executed on October 14 after a Saudi court found them guilty of committing an indecent act inside a mosque, according to the Saudi interior ministry.
Bangladesh Saudi Execution of Two Nationals: What We Know
What has been confirmed by official statements, as reported by Khaleej Times and the Economic Times (carrying Reuters), both published October 21:
- Who: The Saudi interior ministry named the two as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, both Bangladeshi nationals — describing the pair as a man and a woman, per Khaleej Times. The Economic Times' account of the same statement described them as "the two men," a discrepancy between the reports.
- The conviction: An indecent act inside a mosque in Makkah. The court imposed the death sentence under ta'zir, a form of discretionary punishment under Islamic law.
- When: The punishment was carried out on October 14.
- The process: The two were apprehended by security authorities, charged after investigation, and the case went to the competent court. The ministry gave no further details and did not identify the mosque.
What Dhaka Is Asking For
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said earlier this week that Dhaka had sought clarification on the circumstances of the executions. Reuters quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim as saying Bangladesh has asked for three things: copies of the court verdicts, details about the offences, and an explanation of why Bangladesh's diplomatic mission was not informed.
Islam said the government would decide on next steps after receiving the case details and documents and discussing the matter with Saudi authorities. The Saudi embassy in Dhaka did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What Riyadh Has Said
Saudi authorities have stood by the sentences, reaffirming their "commitment to maintaining security, upholding justice and enforcing Islamic law against those who violate the sanctity of mosques or commit offences against the honour of others," Khaleej Times reported. Separately, on Tuesday, October 20, the kingdom debunked a viral video attributed to the executions as "misleading": "The video being circulated with this claim is false and is not evidence of their execution," The Holy Mosques X account said.
The row is unfolding against a tense month for the kingdom — Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh, Turkey submitted a Saudi-Pakistan defence pact to its parliament, and five men convicted of terrorism were executed on October 17 in a separate case.
Why It Matters
The death sentence was discretionary — ta'zir leaves the punishment to the judge — and the ministry disclosed nothing about the alleged acts beyond the phrase "indecent act." Dhaka's central grievance is consular notification: it says it learned of the executions only afterward. Bangladesh is not publicly contesting Saudi courts; it wants the verdicts, the facts, and an explanation of the silence.
The stakes go beyond one case. Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh's largest overseas labour market, home to an estimated 3.5 million Bangladeshi workers who send home major remittances — making migrant welfare a key bilateral issue. With that many livelihoods tied to the relationship, Dhaka must weigh public anger at home against a partnership its economy cannot afford to break.
What Happens Next
Dhaka is waiting on the documents. Islam said the government would decide on next steps after receiving the case details and discussing the matter with Saudi authorities. Until Riyadh answers, the foreign ministry's unanswered queries — and the consular-notification question — remain the story.
Key Takeaways
- Two Bangladeshi nationals — named by the Saudi interior ministry as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar — were executed in Makkah on October 14 after conviction for an indecent act inside a mosque.
- The sentences were imposed under ta'zir, a discretionary punishment under Islamic law; the ministry gave no further details and did not name the mosque.
- Bangladesh says it was not informed beforehand and wants the verdicts, offence details, and an explanation — with no Saudi response so far, per spokesperson Shahidul Karim.
- On October 20, Saudi Arabia called a viral video attributed to the executions "misleading" and "false."
- An estimated 3.5 million Bangladeshi workers live in Saudi Arabia, making the fallout a high-stakes issue for Dhaka.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two Bangladeshis executed in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi interior ministry named them as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, both Bangladeshi nationals, Khaleej Times reported — describing the pair as a man and a woman. The Economic Times' version of the same statement called them "the two men." They were apprehended by Saudi security authorities after the alleged incident in a Makkah mosque.
What were they convicted of?
Committing an indecent act inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah, the Saudi interior ministry said. The ministry did not specify the nature of the acts or identify the mosque. The court sentenced them to death under ta'zir, a discretionary punishment under Islamic law, after finding them guilty.
When were the executions carried out?
October 14, according to the Saudi interior ministry statement. Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, confirmed the October 14 date when she said earlier this week that Dhaka had sought clarification on the circumstances of the executions.
Why is Bangladesh upset with Saudi Arabia?
Dhaka says it was not notified before the executions and learned of them only afterward. Spokesperson Shahidul Karim said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has not yet responded to Dhaka's queries. Bangladesh wants copies of the court verdicts, details of the offences, and an explanation of why its mission was not informed.
What is ta'zir?
A form of discretionary punishment under Islamic law, where the sentence is left to the judge's discretion rather than being fixed. The Saudi court applied it after finding the two guilty, the interior ministry said.
Has Saudi Arabia responded to Bangladesh?
Not to the formal queries, according to Dhaka. The Saudi embassy in Dhaka did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Separately, on October 20, Saudi authorities debunked a viral video attributed to the executions: "The video being circulated with this claim is false and is not evidence of their execution," The Holy Mosques X account said.
Sources
- Khaleej Times — "Bangladesh seeks clarification on execution of 2 nationals in Saudi Arabia" (October 21, 2026): https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/saudi-arabia-makkah-mosque-indecent-act-execution-bangladesh-seeks-clarifications (Reuters reporting via spokesperson Shahidul Karim; Saudi interior ministry statement)
- The Economic Times — "Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshis without informing Dhaka, government says" (October 21, 2026): https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/saudi-arabia-executed-two-bangladeshis-without-informing-dhaka-government-says/articleshow/135082049.cms (Reuters wire: Karim's Tuesday statement; Islam's clarification request)