Saudi Arabia executes two Bangladeshis in Mecca; Dhaka says it was not told beforehand

Summary

Saudi Arabia executed a Bangladeshi man and a Bangladeshi woman last week after they were convicted of "indecent acts" inside a mosque in Mecca. The Saudi Interior Ministry said the executions were due to "the gravity and seriousness of their actions in violating the sanctity of both time and place" but did not elaborate on the acts. Riyadh gave no further details and did not say whether the two had legal representation. Bangladesh says it was not informed before the sentences were carried out. Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir said he was "very disappointed" by the lack of communication and that Dhaka had sought an explanation from Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was waiting for a copy of the full verdict and the circumstances that led to the executions. Officials said the two were on a list of prisoners that Saudi Arabia had shared with Bangladesh, but the list did not indicate that executions were planned.

Timeline

1. BBC

   19 Oct 2026, 08:17 UTCSource ↗

   BBC reports that Bangladesh says it was not informed of its citizens' execution by Saudi Arabia, which said it executed two Bangladeshis for committing an "indecent act" in a mosque.

2. Middle East Eye

   19 Oct 2026, 12:32 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Bangladesh is seeking answers after Saudi Arabia executed a male and a female Bangladeshi national in Mecca for "indecent acts" inside a mosque without telling Dhaka, and that Riyadh gave no details of the acts or whether they had legal representation.

3. South China Morning Post

   19 Oct 2026, 19:13 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals, a man and a woman, for "indecent acts" in a Mecca mosque, that Bangladesh was not informed beforehand, and that the Saudi Interior Ministry cited "the gravity and seriousness of their actions" without elaborating.

4. Hindustan Times

   20 Oct 2026, 06:39 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports, citing family, that Saudi police arrested a man named Nazrul and a young woman, identified as Sweety Akhtar, over allegations of an "immoral act" near a mosque in Makkah.