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Saudi Arabia executes two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca
Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, in Mecca on October 14, 2026. The executions followed convictions for committing an “indecent act” inside a mosque, a violation of the sanctity of the location. The death sentences were handed down under ta'zir, a form of discretionary punishment within Islamic law, and were confirmed by a royal decree after judicial review.
The Bangladeshi government has expressed deep disappointment and raised formal diplomatic concerns regarding the incident. Officials in Dhaka, including State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, stated that the government was not notified of the legal proceedings or the impending executions beforehand. While the two individuals appeared on a prior list of prisoners provided by Saudi authorities, the list reportedly did not indicate they had been sentenced to death.
Bangladesh has met with the Saudi ambassador in Dhaka and submitted a diplomatic note seeking a detailed explanation of the legal process and the failure to provide advance notification. The incident has highlighted tensions regarding information-sharing and consular communication between the two nations.
Entities
Bangladesh · Mecca · Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia · Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir · Saudi Arabia · Saudi Ministry of Interior · Shama Obaed Islam · Siti Akhtar
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 11 SOURCES] Bangladesh authorities were not notified of the executions before they took place. frontpage.lk · townpress.co.za · time.news · en.prothomalo.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · +6 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Bangladeshi government has requested a formal explanation from Saudi Arabia regarding the legal proceedings and the lack of notification. frontpage.lk · time.news · en.prothomalo.com · nagalandpost.com · insajder.net · +3 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, on October 14, 2026. disway.id · www.marasbugun.com.tr · oriinfos.com · r-freenews.com · frontpage.lk · +14 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] The individuals were convicted of committing an indecent or immoral act inside a mosque in Mecca. disway.id · www.marasbugun.com.tr · oriinfos.com · r-freenews.com · frontpage.lk · +14 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The death sentences were imposed under ta'zir, a discretionary punishment under Islamic law. disway.id · www.marasbugun.com.tr · oriinfos.com · r-freenews.com · frontpage.lk · +13 more