Dhaka: The execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia over an alleged “immoral act” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca has sparked outrage in Bangladesh, with questions mounting over the judicial process, transparency and whether diplomatic intervention could have saved their lives.

According to media reports, the two individuals were executed on October 14. Saudi authorities reportedly accused them of committing an immoral act inside a mosque in Mecca. However, the precise nature of the alleged offence, the circumstances of their arrest and details of the judicial proceedings have not been publicly disclosed in full.

The Bangladesh government has stated that it was not informed in advance about the executions and has sought a detailed explanation from Saudi Arabia. Dhaka has also raised concerns over the handling of the case, including whether the matter was communicated through the appropriate diplomatic channels.

Who Were the Two Bangladeshis?

Saudi media reports, citing the Ministry of Interior, identified the two individuals as Nazrul Islam Abdul Bashir and Siti Akhtar.

Nazrul reportedly hailed from Brahmanbaria Sadar in Bangladesh's Chattogram Division. According to reports, he travelled to Saudi Arabia in November 2022 and began working in a cleaning role at Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

His family reportedly told local media that he was arrested around eight months after arriving in Saudi Arabia and remained in custody until his execution.

Relatives said they last spoke to Nazrul on October 11. Three days later, the family reportedly received a telephone call informing them of his execution.

The news allegedly left his family devastated. Reports further claimed that his 65-year-old aunt, Abeda Begum, collapsed after hearing the news and subsequently died.

The circumstances surrounding the second individual, including the relationship between the two and the precise allegations against them, remain unclear from the publicly available information cited in these reports.

What Was the Alleged Offence?

The controversy centres on the phrase “immoral act” used in reports attributed to Saudi authorities.

Some media reports and social media posts have alleged that the two individuals kissed inside a mosque. Other online claims suggest that the man may have kissed the woman on the forehead.

However, these details have not been independently established. There are also conflicting claims about whether the two were married or had met while living in Saudi Arabia.

Neither the exact conduct alleged by prosecutors nor the complete evidence presented during the trial has been made publicly available in the reports cited here. Therefore, the precise circumstances that led to the death sentences remain uncertain.

Saudi Courts Reportedly Upheld Death Sentences

According to reports, the death sentences were imposed under Saudi Arabia's discretionary *ta'zir* legal framework. Both lower and higher courts reportedly upheld the sentences, followed by a royal decree authorising their implementation in the Mecca region.

The absence of detailed public information about the proceedings has intensified questions in Bangladesh over the defendants' access to legal representation, the fairness of the trial and the opportunities available for appeal or diplomatic intervention.

Bangladesh has called on Saudi Arabia to provide a comprehensive explanation of the case.

Vienna Convention Concerns and Diplomatic Questions

The case has also prompted questions about consular communication and the obligations of states when foreign nationals face criminal proceedings that may result in capital punishment.

Bangladesh has reportedly raised concerns over the lack of prior notification and described the handling of the matter as a violation of the Vienna Convention.

The exact legal provisions applicable to the case, and whether Saudi Arabia breached any specific international obligation, would require examination of the diplomatic communications and the relevant legal records.

The central question remains whether timely notification could have enabled Bangladesh to pursue further legal or diplomatic measures on behalf of its citizens.

Saudi Arabia's Use of the Death Penalty Under Scrutiny

Saudi Arabia remains among the countries that make extensive use of capital punishment. Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about transparency in death penalty cases, particularly where information about charges, trials and appeals is limited.

Human Rights Watch reportedly documented at least 356 executions in Saudi Arabia in 2025, highlighting the scale of the country's use of capital punishment.

The executions of the two Bangladeshis have renewed scrutiny of the treatment of foreign nationals facing the death penalty in the kingdom.

Reports have also drawn comparisons with the case of Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivaratnam, whose death sentence was reportedly withdrawn following intervention by Sri Lankan authorities in a separate case.

Questions Remain Unanswered

Despite reports about the alleged incident inside the mosque, several crucial details remain unclear: the exact offence, the evidence presented in court, the full judicial timeline and whether the defendants received adequate consular assistance.

For the families of the deceased and the people of Bangladesh, the lack of clear information has become a major source of anguish and anger.

As Dhaka seeks answers from Riyadh, the case has raised broader questions about transparency in capital punishment cases, the protection of migrant workers and the role of diplomatic intervention when citizens face the most severe criminal penalties abroad.