Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshi Nationals for Misconduct in a Mecca Mosque

Saudi Arabia has carried out the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals found to have committed an "immoral act" inside a mosque in Mecca. The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Jeddah stated that Saudi authorities did not inform them prior to the execution. The Consulate further noted that it has approached Saudi authorities seeking official confirmation regarding the matter.
"The ministry did not inform us in advance about the execution," the Consulate stated in response to an inquiry from *The Daily Star*. "We have submitted a formal request to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking official confirmation," the Consulate added.
In a statement released by the Saudi Ministry of Interior—which was published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency—the executed individuals were identified as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar. The Ministry of Interior stated that both individuals were arrested by Saudi security forces, charged following an investigation, and subsequently brought before a competent court. The Ministry stated that the court, having found the charges proven, imposed the death penalty under "Ta'zir"—a discretionary form of punishment in Islamic law—taking into account the gravity of the offense and the violation of the sanctity of a holy place and time. The statement further noted that the sentence was carried out following its ratification by the relevant authorities and the issuance of a royal decree. The execution took place in the Makkah region.
However, the official statement does not provide details regarding the exact nature of the alleged act, the specific mosque where the incident occurred, or when the individuals were arrested.