Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshi Nationals Over Alleged 'Immoral Act' in Mecca Mosque, Dhaka Seeks Answers

Saudi Arabia’s execution of two Bangladeshi migrant workers over alleged immoral acts inside a mosque in Mecca has triggered outrage, with Dhaka saying it was not informed before the executions and demanding an explanation from Riyadh.

The two nationals, identified as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, were executed on October 14, according to Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry. Authorities have disclosed few details about the alleged offences, the arrests or the trials, fuelling questions about transparency and due process.

What Were the Alleged Offences?

Saudi authorities said the pair were convicted of committing immoral acts inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca. The court imposed the death penalty under ta’zir, a category of discretionary punishment under Islamic law, citing the seriousness of the offence and the sanctity of the location.

The sentences were upheld by the relevant judicial authorities before a royal order authorised the executions, the ministry said.

However, officials have not publicly specified what the two did. Reports and social media posts have suggested that the alleged act involved kissing, but this has not been independently established. Nazrul’s family has disputed some of the claims circulating about the case.

Bangladesh Was Not Informed Before Executions

Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah said it had not received prior notification of the executions. The consulate subsequently sought formal acknowledgement from Saudi authorities through a diplomatic note.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, said Dhaka learnt of the executions through media reports. The country has sought an explanation from Saudi Arabia and is awaiting detailed information about the circumstances of the case.

The consulate had received a list of Bangladeshi prisoners in September that included the names of the two nationals. Their alleged offences were listed, but their death sentences were not mentioned, according to reports by Bangladeshi media.

The case has raised questions about consular notification and the obligations of countries under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Families Question Fairness of Trial

Nazrul Islam had moved to Saudi Arabia in November 2022 and worked as a cleaner at Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram, according to reports. His family said police arrested him several months later and that he remained in prison until his execution.

Relatives said they were not informed beforehand that he would be executed. His father questioned whether his son had received a fair trial and called for justice if the execution had been carried out without proper cause.

The family also disputed claims about the alleged offence. Relatives and acquaintances described Nazrul as polite and questioned the allegations against him.

Public information about Siti Akhtar and her relationship with Nazrul remains limited. Reports have offered conflicting accounts, and Saudi authorities have not released detailed information about the circumstances of their case.

The repatriation of the two nationals’ remains has also reportedly been delayed amid the suspension of air connectivity between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

Executions Renew Scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s Death Penalty

The executions have renewed scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s use of capital punishment, particularly in cases involving foreign nationals and offences for which authorities have provided limited public information.

Human Rights Watch reported at least 356 executions in Saudi Arabia in 2025, many involving non-violent drug-related offences.

The case has also drawn attention because it follows the recent overturning of the death sentence handed to Sri Lankan migrant worker Sivarasa Anojan over a Facebook comment deemed blasphemous. The sentence was set aside by Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court after diplomatic and legal intervention by Sri Lanka.

For Bangladesh, the immediate demand is for a full account of the executions and an explanation of why its authorities were not notified beforehand. The lack of publicly available details about the alleged offences and judicial proceedings has intensified calls for transparency and accountability.