Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshi Nationals Over Alleged "Indecent Acts" in Mecca Mosque

Saudi authorities have executed a Bangladeshi man and woman following their conviction under ta’zir (discretionary punishment) for committing "indecent acts" inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.
The executions, carried out on October 14, 2026, were officially announced by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, which stated that the pair violated the sanctity of both time and place. However, the ministry did not publicly detail the specific nature of the acts, the exact mosque involved, or the timeline of their arrests and trial proceedings.
The Bangladeshi government expressed deep displeasure after confirming that the Saudi authorities did not notify the country’s consulate or embassy in Jeddah prior to carrying out the executions.
In response to the secrecy surrounding the case, Dhaka formally summoned Saudi Ambassador Abdullah bin Zafer H. Bin Abiyah to seek immediate clarification and an official diplomatic explanation.
The executed individuals have been identified in reports as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir, a cleaner who moved to Saudi Arabia in 2022, and Siti Akhtar. While social media speculation and unverified reports alleged the act involved public displays of affection within the mosque premises, relatives and local representatives have disputed the claims, demanding transparency and justice regarding the fairness of their trial.
“Bangladesh is waiting for an official response from Saudi Arabia before deciding its next move... We have sought complete information regarding the circumstances of the trial and execution.”
— Shama Obaed Islam, Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs

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