Story perspectives

Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshi Nationals in Mecca

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Saudi Arabia Executes Bangladeshis

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca on October 14, 2026.
The men, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, were convicted of indecent acts inside a mosque under ta'zir.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry was not notified before the executions and sent a diplomatic note on October 19 requesting details.
Saudi officials said a 13-judge appeals panel upheld the death sentences, though the September 30 list omitted the penalties.

Summary

Bangladesh Ministry Pursues Talks

Executions may cause Bangladeshi workers to reconsider Saudi jobs, threatening remittance inflows.
Saudi Arabia hosts about 3.5 million Bangladeshi workers, remaining Bangladesh’s top overseas labor market.
Bangladeshi remittances from Saudi Arabia form a major share of the country’s foreign-exchange earnings.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Labour may pursue bilateral talks to protect migrant workers’ rights.
Saudi authorities have not yet addressed concerns about the 3.5 million Bangladeshi expatriates.

History

Historical Context

Saudi Arabia’s practice of beheading foreign workers dates to a 1995 decree by King Fahd that ordered the execution of fifteen inmates, including three non-Saudis, a move condemned by Amnesty International. Repeated mass killings—such as the 27 migrant workers executed in 2010—have kept the practice in international focus. On 14 October 2026 the kingdom beheaded two Bangladeshi laborers, prompting diplomatic protests from Dhaka.

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Saudi Arabia Executes Bangladeshis

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca on October 14, 2026.
The men, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, were convicted of indecent acts inside a mosque under ta'zir.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry was not notified before the executions and sent a diplomatic note on October 19 requesting details.
Saudi officials said a 13-judge appeals panel upheld the death sentences, though the September 30 list omitted the penalties.

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