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DHAKA: Bangladesh has sought detailed information from Saudi Arabia regarding the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, with Foreign Affairs Secretary (East and West) Dr Md Nazrul Islam raising the issue during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah on Sunday.
A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Dr Nazrul Islam sought further details about the executions during the meeting.
Asked whether the Saudi ambassador had been summoned over the issue, another ministry official said it was not a formal summons.
Despite raising concerns over the incident, Bangladesh expressed confidence that it would not affect the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. Both sides also discussed the importance of complying with the laws of the host country and expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of cooperation across various sectors.
The meeting came after Saudi media reported that the Kingdom had executed two Bangladeshi nationals following their conviction over what the authorities described as “indecent acts” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.
The Saudi authorities identified the two nationals as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.
Quoting the Saudi Interior Ministry, Gulf News reported that the sentences were carried out because of the seriousness of the offence, the violation of the sanctity of the mosque and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On Saturday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh had yet to receive detailed official information from the Saudi government about the executions, describing the news as unexpected.
“We have yet to receive any official detailed information from the Saudi government,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Bangladesh had sent a formal letter requesting clarification.
The state minister said Bangladesh learned on October 14 that the two nationals had been sentenced to death under Saudi law and that the executions had already been carried out. Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia had been informed in advance, she added.
“We wanted to know whatever we needed to know. Let the reply come. I will be able to let you know,” Shama said.
Following the discovery of the incident, the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia informed the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, sharing the information it had gathered from Saudi authorities.
The government’s formal inquiry seeks comprehensive details, including the identities and backgrounds of the two individuals in Bangladesh and when they initially travelled to Saudi Arabia for employment.
The state minister said Saudi Arabia operated under its own legal framework and that individuals found guilty of serious offences were punished in accordance with its laws.
“The execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia serves as a major lesson for us,” she said.
Shama also said arrangements for repatriating the bodies could be made after Bangladesh received a response to its letter from the Saudi authorities.
The latest diplomatic engagement reflects Dhaka’s efforts to establish the full circumstances of the executions while maintaining its longstanding relations with Riyadh, a key partner for Bangladesh, particularly in employment and manpower cooperation.
