Dhaka Awaits Saudi Explanation Following Execution of Two Bangladeshi Nationals
Bangladesh demands answers from Saudi Arabia after two citizens were executed in Makkah without prior diplomatic notification or official warning.
POLICY WIRE — Dhaka, Bangladesh — The Bangladeshi government is pressing Saudi Arabia for formal explanations and comprehensive court records following the execution of two of its citizens in Makkah. The individuals were put to death on October 14, yet Dhaka reports that it received no advance notification regarding the proceedings.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam described the development as unexpected, noting that the government has yet to receive detailed official information from Riyadh. Among those executed was 22-year-old Nazrul Islam, though the specific charges remain unclear as prisoner records reportedly lacked mention of death sentences.
Foreign Secretary (East & West) Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam formally raised the matter with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah on Sunday. The ministry is seeking clarity on why the judicial process was conducted without informing the Bangladeshi consulate in Jeddah or the foreign ministry.
While Dhaka continues to emphasize that bilateral ties with the Kingdom remain strong, officials maintain that they expect to be notified whenever citizens face criminal proceedings abroad. The Saudi authorities reportedly convicted the pair under tazir, but the lack of transparency surrounding the case has left families searching for answers.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
