Two Bangladeshis executed in Saudi Arabia were detained in 2023: State Minister

The two Bangladeshis who were recently executed in Saudi Arabia had been detained in 2023, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has said.

The Bangladeshi government is seeking detailed information from Saudi authorities about the cases, including the court verdicts, the offences involved and the circumstances leading to the executions.

Bangladesh says it was not informed before the death sentences were carried out.

The two Bangladeshis, a man and a woman, were executed on October 14 after Saudi courts upheld their death sentences, according to reports.

Saudi authorities reportedly convicted them over alleged indecent acts inside a mosque in Mecca.

Shama Obaed said the government was awaiting copies of the court verdicts before deciding on further steps.

Bangladesh has also sought clarification on why its diplomatic mission was not informed of the proceedings and executions in advance.

The government will assess the matter after receiving the official documents and discuss the next course of action with Saudi authorities.