Man and woman allegedly 'adulterated' in mosque, executed by Saudi authorities

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals on October 14 for committing an indecent act inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah, according to the country’s interior ministry. The identities of the condemned were released in an official statement, which named the pair as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar. Security authorities apprehended the duo following the incident, and subsequent investigations led to criminal charges being filed against them. A competent court found them guilty and sentenced them to death under the legal principle of ta’zir. The punishment was authorized by a royal decree and carried out within the Makkah region. The interior ministry confirmed the convictions but declined to disclose specific details regarding the nature of the offense, the exact location of the mosque, or the dates of the arrest and trial. Social media posts circulating widely suggested that the indecent behavior included a kiss on the forehead, though these claims have not been officially verified by Saudi authorities. On October 20, the Holy Mosques X account stated that a video going viral online and attributed to the execution was misleading. The account described the footage as false and denied it served as evidence of the execution. Saudi authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining security and enforcing Islamic law against those who violate the sanctity of mosques or commit offenses against the honor of others. The execution sparked immediate diplomatic friction between Riyadh and Dhaka. Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, announced that her government had requested clarifications regarding the circumstances of the execution. She stated that Dhaka sought information about the criminal act and the judicial proceedings. Additionally, the Bangladeshi government expressed its desire to repatriate the bodies of the two citizens. The Bangladeshi consulate in Jeddah confirmed that it received no prior notification of the planned execution. Consequently, Dhaka sent a formal diplomatic note to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shahidul Karim, a press officer for the Bangladeshi foreign ministry, told reporters that Dhaka demanded access to court documentation, precise charges, and an explanation for why the diplomatic mission was excluded from the process. It remains unclear whether the defendants had guaranteed legal representation or the opportunity to appeal their sentences. Islamic legal scholars explain that ta’zir allows judges broad discretion in determining penalties because specific punishments for certain actions are not predefined in sacred texts. According to the ministry, the judge imposed the death penalty due to the severity of the crime and the violation of the mosque’s sanctity. In contrast, other categories of Islamic law, such as qisas and hudud, prescribe fixed punishments for specific offenses like murder or theft. Human rights organizations have noted that Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most frequent users of capital punishment. Human Rights Watch reported at least 356 executions in 2025, many involving non-violent drug-related offenses. This stands in contrast to statements made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a 2022 interview, where he claimed the death penalty had been limited to murder cases. Bangladesh views the welfare of its overseas workers as a critical national interest. Approximately 3.5 million Bangladeshi citizens work in Saudi Arabia, often in lower-paid positions, and their remittances constitute a significant portion of the domestic economy. The lack of transparency in the Saudi judicial process has highlighted concerns about consular protection for foreigners facing capital charges. This incident follows another recent case involving a foreign citizen. A Sri Lankan Hindu immigrant, Anojan Sivarasa, was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy based on a Facebook post. Following mediation by Sri Lankan authorities, his sentence was reduced. In 2011, eight Bangladeshi nationals were publicly executed in Riyadh for the murder of an Egyptian citizen. The Bangladeshi government indicated it will determine its next steps after receiving the requested case files and engaging in discussions with Saudi officials. The response from Riyadh is expected to influence future protocols regarding the rights and safety of Bangladeshi laborers in the kingdom. Until further details emerge, the public narrative remains focused on the discrepancy between the vague official terminology of "indecent acts" and the specific allegations circulating on social media. The Saudi interior ministry maintained that the individuals were convicted after a thorough investigation, yet the absence of public records continues to fuel international scrutiny over the fairness and openness of the proceedings.