18.10.2026 09:50
Two Bangladeshi nationals who were tried on charges of having sexual intercourse in a mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, have been executed. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced that Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar were sentenced to death as a result of the trial and that their sentences were carried out.
In Mecca, one of Saudi Arabia's holy cities, a Bangladeshi woman and a Bangladeshi man who were tried for committing a sexual act in a mosque have been executed. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced that the death sentences issued by the court were carried out on 14 October after becoming final.
ALLEGATION OF A SEXUAL ACT IN A MOSQUE
In a statement by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior, it was stated that Bangladeshi citizens Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar were arrested on the grounds that they committed an act described as immoral in a mosque in Mecca.
After an investigation into the two people detained by security forces, a case was filed. The Ministry argued that the incident violated the sanctity of the mosque.
COURT ISSUED DEATH SENTENCE
After the investigation was completed, the two people referred to court were convicted of the charges against them. The court sentenced them to death within the scope of "tazir," which is based on the judge's discretion in Islamic law, citing the nature of the act and the violation of the sanctity of the place of worship. After the decision was approved by higher judicial authorities, a royal order was issued for the execution.
DEATH SENTENCES CARRIED OUT ON 14 OCTOBER
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced that the death sentences of two Bangladeshi citizens were carried out in the Mecca region on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
In its statement, the Ministry emphasized that legal sanctions will continue to be applied against acts that violate the sanctity of mosques. The authorities did not disclose which mosque the incident occurred in or when the two people were detained. The official statement also did not include details of the act.
BANGLADESH REQUESTS EXPLANATION FROM SAUDI ARABIA
After the executions, Bangladesh's Consulate General in Jeddah also took action. Consulate officials announced that they had not been notified in advance that their two citizens would be executed.
Bangladeshi officials reported that a diplomatic note was sent to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to learn the details of the incident. Uncertainties regarding the trial process of the two people and the consular support provided to them continue.