Allegations of ‘immoral acts’ in a Mecca mosque: Two Bangladeshis executed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals in the Makkah region on October 14. According to Saudi authorities, they were found guilty of committing "immoral acts" inside a mosque. However, no specific details regarding the nature of these acts have been disclosed.

The two Bangladeshi nationals executed in Saudi Arabia have been identified as Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.

Their identities were confirmed by the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), citing a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior on October 14. This information was reported by *The Daily Star*.

Bangladesh Consulate Not Informed Prior to Execution

The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Jeddah stated that Saudi authorities did not inform them before carrying out the executions. The Bangladesh mission has sent a diplomatic note to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting formal acknowledgment of the matter.

In a message sent via WhatsApp to *The Daily Star*, an official from the mission stated that the Saudi ministry did not notify the consulate in advance. A *note verbale* has been dispatched to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking formal recognition of the incident.

Case Referred to Court Following Investigation

According to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, security authorities arrested the two Bangladeshi nationals and filed charges against them following an investigation. They were subsequently referred to the appropriate court.

The ministry stated that the court found the charges proven and, under the provisions of *ta'zir* (discretionary punishment) within Islamic law, sentenced them to death. The court cited the gravity of the offense, as well as the violation of the sanctity of the time and place, as factors in the sentencing.

The statement noted that the verdict was finalized following approval from the relevant authorities, and a royal decree was issued for its execution. The sentences were carried out in the Makkah region on October 14.

Saudi Authorities Did Not Disclose Specifics of the Charges

While the official statement from the Saudi authorities mentions "immoral acts," the exact nature of these acts remains unclear. Furthermore, no details have been provided regarding which mosque the incident took place in, nor when the two Bangladeshi nationals were initially arrested. Source: The Daily Star