The death sentences reportedly handed down to two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia are a major lesson for the country, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed has said.

She made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday afternoon, October 17.

The state minister said Bangladeshis living abroad, regardless of their country of residence, must abide by the laws of the host country.

Shama Obaed said the Bangladesh government had not yet received official details regarding the death sentences reportedly imposed on the two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia. However, the government had sent a letter to the Saudi authorities seeking information about the cases.

Drawing on past experience, she said Saudi Arabia has its own legal framework and that individuals accused of serious offences are tried and punished in accordance with the country’s laws.

The state minister further said the labour wing of the Saudi mission had conveyed that the two Bangladeshis were allegedly involved in an act of adultery inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah. According to the information received, the Saudi court had taken action against them because such conduct is considered a serious offence under Saudi law.

However, she reiterated that the Bangladesh government had not yet received formal information on the matter.

The government has therefore written to the Saudi authorities seeking detailed information about the identities of the two Bangladeshis, the cases against them, the judicial proceedings and the sentences imposed, she added.