Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshi Nationals Over Alleged Mosque Offence in Mecca

3Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals following their conviction for what authorities described as an “immoral act” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

The executions took place on October 14 in the Mecca region, according to a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior and published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The individuals were identified as Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.

The case has attracted attention in Bangladesh after the country’s Consulate General in Jeddah disclosed that it had not received prior notification of the executions. According to Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star, the consulate has submitted a formal diplomatic communication, known as a note verbale, to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking official acknowledgement of the development.

Saudi authorities said the two individuals were arrested by security personnel and subsequently prosecuted following an investigation. A competent court found them guilty and sentenced them to death under ta’zir, a category of punishment under Islamic law that allows judicial discretion. The ruling was upheld by the relevant judicial authority before a royal order authorised the implementation of the sentences.

Details of the Alleged Offence Remain Unclear

In its statement, the Saudi Ministry of Interior referred to the seriousness of the offence, the violation of the mosque’s sanctity and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

However, the ministry did not disclose the exact nature of the alleged conduct. It also did not identify the mosque involved or provide details about when the arrests were made. Consequently, the publicly available information does not offer a complete account of what happened or the specific evidence presented during the proceedings.

The ministry maintained that the executions followed the completion of the judicial process and the necessary approvals. It also reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing Saudi law and protecting the sanctity of mosques.

Under Islamic jurisprudence, ta’zir refers to discretionary punishment for offences that are not subject to prescribed penalties under other categories of Islamic criminal law. The precise legal arguments supporting the death sentences in this case have not been fully outlined in the public statements cited in the reports.

Bangladesh Seeks Official Acknowledgement

The Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah has raised concerns over the absence of advance notification from Saudi authorities.

A consulate official told The Daily Star that the mission had sent a diplomatic note requesting formal acknowledgement of the executions. As of the time of the reported development, there was no publicly available information indicating whether the Saudi government had responded to the request.

The lack of prior communication has emerged as a significant issue in the case, particularly given the limited details released about the alleged offence and the judicial proceedings.

Although Bangladeshi media reports have identified the two individuals by name, the available information does not confirm their relationship. Claims that they were married or otherwise related should therefore be treated with caution unless independently verified.

Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia Draws Continued Scrutiny

Saudi Arabia continues to impose and carry out death sentences for various offences. Amnesty International has documented the kingdom’s extensive use of capital punishment, while human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about transparency in judicial proceedings and the treatment of defendants facing the death penalty.

The executions of the two Bangladeshi nationals have brought renewed attention to the position of foreign citizens facing capital punishment in Saudi Arabia, as well as questions surrounding communication between the kingdom’s authorities and the diplomatic missions of affected nationals.

Further clarification from Saudi authorities could provide more information about the case, including the circumstances of the alleged offence, the legal basis for the sentences and the reasons Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission was not notified before the executions were carried out.