Makkah/Dhaka, October 22, 2026: Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals in the Makkah region after a court convicted them of what authorities described as an “immoral act” inside a mosque. The executions, carried out on October 14, have raised questions about the judicial proceedings and communication between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

The individuals were identified as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Suety Akhter, also known as Sweety Akhtar, according to reports. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior said the two were arrested following an investigation and subsequently referred to a competent court.

According to the ministry, the court found the charges proven and imposed the death penalty under ta'zir, a category of punishment under Islamic law that allows judicial discretion. The sentences were upheld by the relevant authorities, and a royal order was issued for their implementation.

However, the Saudi government's public statement did not specify the exact nature of the alleged offence, identify the mosque involved, or provide detailed information about the court proceedings.

Bangladesh Seeks Official Explanation

The executions have prompted concern in Bangladesh after its diplomatic mission in Jeddah said it had not received advance notification from Saudi authorities.

Bangladesh's government has formally requested further information, including details of the allegations, copies of the court verdicts and an explanation of why its diplomatic mission was not informed before the sentences were carried out.

According to reports, Bangladesh's Consulate General in Jeddah submitted a diplomatic note to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking official clarification. As of the latest reports, Bangladesh was awaiting a detailed response from Riyadh.

Reports Reveal Earlier Detention

Reports citing a confidential consular document indicate that the two individuals had been detained since August 2023. The document reportedly listed separate allegations against them, including cybercrime-related allegations against Nazrul Islam and adultery allegations against Suety Akhter.

However, the available records do not clearly explain how these earlier allegations related to the charges that ultimately led to their executions.

The circumstances surrounding their detention, the legal assistance available to them and the opportunities they had to challenge the charges remain subjects of concern.

Questions Over Consular Assistance

The case has renewed attention on the protection of migrant workers facing serious criminal charges abroad. Saudi Arabia is a major overseas employment destination for Bangladeshi workers, with millions of Bangladeshi nationals living and working in the kingdom.

The absence of advance notification has raised questions about whether sufficient opportunities existed for diplomatic intervention or additional legal assistance before the executions.

Both Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh are parties to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which establishes rules concerning consular communication and assistance to detained foreign nationals.

The convention provides for consular notification and access under specified conditions, although it does not explicitly require advance notification to an embassy before every execution.

Families Await Further Information

The executions have left questions about the legal proceedings and the circumstances surrounding the convictions. Reports indicate that the families were not aware that the executions were imminent.

Bangladesh has said it will consider its next steps after receiving the requested documents and explanations from Saudi authorities.

For now, the case remains a significant diplomatic and consular issue, highlighting the challenges governments face in protecting their citizens working overseas and ensuring that serious criminal cases receive appropriate attention.

The key questions remain unanswered: What precisely were the charges that resulted in the death sentences, what legal assistance was available to the two individuals, and why was Bangladesh's diplomatic mission not informed before the executions?