Execution of Two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia: Justice or Display of Power? The Embassy Also Under Scrutiny

Saudi Arabia has executed a woman and a man, allegedly for ‘immoral acts’ in a mosque in Mecca. Yet, there are no clear answers to questions such as what crime they committed, how long the trial lasted, or how much opportunity they had to defend themselves. More surprisingly, the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah claims it knew nothing before the execution took place. This raises the question: Was this a punishment delivered through a transparent judicial process, or an instance of harsh state power where the possibilities for saving the lives of two foreign nationals were not adequately considered?

On Wednesday (October 14), Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akthar were executed in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca region. The Saudi Interior Ministry identified them as Bangladeshi citizens.

According to the Saudi authorities’ statement, they were involved in an ‘immoral act’ inside a mosque in Mecca. Charges were brought against them after investigation. The court ruled that the charges were proven and sentenced them to death under the ‘Ta’zir’ provision of Islamic law. The sentences were carried out after approval from relevant authorities and a royal decree.