Story perspectives

Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshi Nationals in Mecca Mosque

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 2:39 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Saudi Arabia Executes Bangladeshis

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca for indecent acts inside a mosque, October 2026.
The Interior Ministry identified them as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, sentenced under tazir for violating mosque’s sanctity.
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said no details have been received from Saudi authorities.
Bangladesh sent a formal letter requesting identities and will consider repatriating bodies once information is provided.

Summary

UN Experts Urge Halt

Reprieve says Youssef al-Manasif was tortured and forced to sign a false confession.
Human Rights Watch calls his execution for a non-violent crime an unconscionable new low.
International Shia Rights condemns execution of five Al-Awamiyah Shia citizens and appeals to the UN.
UN independent human-rights experts urge Saudi Arabia to halt executions for offenses committed by minors.

History

Historical Context

Saudi Arabia’s beheading tradition, evident since August 2004 when three men were executed for kidnapping and sexual assault, has expanded to include non-violent or religious offenses. Although the kingdom barred executions of minors in April 2020, the UN and Bangladesh now condemn the recent Mecca hangings of Bangladeshi nationals, urging transparent legal review.

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Saudi Arabia Executes Bangladeshis

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca for indecent acts inside a mosque, October 2026.
The Interior Ministry identified them as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, sentenced under tazir for violating mosque’s sanctity.
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said no details have been received from Saudi authorities.
Bangladesh sent a formal letter requesting identities and will consider repatriating bodies once information is provided.

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