Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals following their conviction over what authorities described as an “immoral act” inside a mosque in the Makkah region.
The individuals were identified in reports citing the Saudi Interior Ministry as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar. The executions were carried out on October 14, 2026, after the court’s decision was upheld and a royal order authorised the sentences.
Authorities Have Not Disclosed the Specific Act
According to the Saudi Interior Ministry’s statement, the pair were arrested following an investigation and subsequently convicted by a competent court. The ministry cited the seriousness of the offence and the sanctity of the mosque in explaining the sentences.
However, the official statement did not identify the specific act, name the mosque or provide detailed information about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Claims circulating online that the alleged offence involved a kiss on the forehead have not been independently verified. Reports describing the two as newlyweds who travelled to Mecca for their honeymoon also remain disputed.
Bangladesh Seeks Answers From Saudi Authorities
The executions have raised concerns in Bangladesh, particularly over the lack of advance notification to the country’s diplomatic mission.
Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah said it had not been informed before the executions and sought formal clarification from Saudi authorities. Bangladesh subsequently summoned the Saudi ambassador and requested detailed information about the case.
The case has also prompted questions about the circumstances of the arrests, the judicial proceedings and whether the individuals had access to legal representation and consular assistance.
Family Raises Concerns Over Nazrul Islam’s Case
In a report published on October 20, The Daily Star quoted Nazrul Islam’s family as alleging that they received no advance notification of his execution and had not been given an opportunity to defend him.
The newspaper reported that Nazrul, 22, had travelled to Saudi Arabia in November 2022 and worked as a cleaner. His family said they learned of his execution through media reports. These are the family’s allegations and have not been independently established in the available reporting.
Questions Remain Unanswered
Although Saudi authorities have confirmed the executions and outlined the legal basis for the sentences, important details about the alleged offence remain undisclosed.
The claims that the individuals were a married couple, that the incident involved a forehead kiss and that their bodies had already arrived in Bangladesh should not be treated as established facts without further confirmation.
