Bangladesh is still waiting for an official response from Saudi Arabia after two of its nationals were executed in the kingdom on October 14 without advance notice to Dhaka. The case has put consular communication and the welfare of millions of Bangladeshi workers at the centre of the two countries’ relationship.
FAKTA
- Executions carried out: October 14, 2026, in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia
- Those executed: two Bangladeshi nationals, identified in reports as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar
- Saudi charge: indecent acts inside a mosque in Makkah; death sentences imposed under ta’zir
- Dhaka’s position: no prior notification was received; copies of the verdicts and an explanation have been requested
- Saudi response so far: no reply to Dhaka’s queries as of Tuesday, October 21
- Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia: about 3.5 million, the kingdom being Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market
Dhaka seeks verdicts and an explanation for the Bangladesh Saudi executions
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Shahidul Karim, said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia had not yet responded to Dhaka’s questions about the executions, which were carried out without notifying Bangladeshi authorities. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said earlier in the week that Dhaka had sought clarification on the circumstances of the case, including copies of the court verdicts, details of the offences and an explanation of why Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission was not informed.
The government has said it will decide on its next steps after receiving the case details and discussing the matter with Saudi authorities. Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir said on Monday that Dhaka was disappointed and was seeking clarification from Riyadh over the gap in information sharing. Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah has said it received no prior notification of the arrests, the trial or the executions, and has submitted a formal note to the Saudi foreign ministry.
What Saudi authorities have said
Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry said the two nationals were arrested, investigated, charged and referred to a competent court, which imposed death sentences under ta’zir, a category of discretionary punishment under Islamic law. The ministry said the court took into account the seriousness of the offence and the violation of the sanctity of the place and time. The verdicts were upheld by the relevant judicial authority, after which a royal order authorised the executions.
The Saudi statement did not specify the precise nature of the alleged acts. The Saudi embassy in Dhaka did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why the case matters for millions of workers
Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market, home to an estimated 3.5 million Bangladeshi workers whose remittances support families and the national economy — which makes migrant welfare a central issue in the bilateral relationship.
For now, Dhaka is keeping its response measured, saying it wants the requested documents before deciding how to proceed; how Riyadh responds is likely to shape its next steps. More international coverage is available on Watan News.
