Bangladesh was not informed by Saudi authorities before the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Dhaka learned about the incident after it was reported in the media. The Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah has since sent a letter to the Saudi Foreign Ministry seeking details of the case.

In a letter sent on Thursday (October 15), the consulate requested information about the identities of the two Bangladeshis, the allegations against them and the judicial proceedings. The information was confirmed by sources at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka and the consulate in Jeddah.

A consulate official said Saudi authorities had not formally informed Bangladesh about the arrest, trial or execution of the two nationals. The mission became aware of the matter after the news was published by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency.

The information released by Saudi authorities contained only the names of the two individuals and lacked sufficient details to establish their identities. Information about their passports, residence permits (iqamas) and citizenship was also unavailable. The consulate therefore contacted the Saudi authorities to obtain a full account of the incident.

On Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported the executions, citing the country’s Ministry of Interior. The report identified the two individuals as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.

According to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Interior, the two were arrested on allegations of engaging in “immoral activities” at a mosque in Mecca. Following an investigation, charges were brought against them in court. Their death sentences were carried out after the verdicts became final through the judicial process.

However, Saudi authorities did not provide further details about the specific activities that led to the sentences.