Why did Saudi Arabia execute a Bangladeshi couple over an ‘obscene act’ at Mecca mosque? Why Dhaka is seeking answers

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals on October 14 after a court convicted them of committing “indecent acts” inside a mosque in Mecca. Dhaka expressed disappointment over the lack of prior notification and is seeking an explanation from Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia executed a Bangladeshi man and woman on October 14 after a court convicted them of committing “indecent acts” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

The executions have prompted questions from Bangladesh, which says it was not informed beforehand and is seeking an explanation from Riyadh.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said the court sentenced the two to death under ta’zir, a category of punishment under Islamic law that gives judges discretion in determining offences and penalties.

However, the ministry did not specify what the alleged acts were, identify the mosque where they took place or disclose when the two were arrested. Gulf News reported that the verdicts were upheld by the relevant judicial authority before a royal order authorised the executions.

What did Saudi Arabia say about the executions?

According to the Saudi Interior Ministry's statement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency, security authorities arrested the two individuals, investigated the case and referred them to a competent court.

The court found them guilty and imposed death sentences, citing the seriousness of the offence, the sanctity of the mosque and the circumstances in which the acts took place, Gulf News reported.

The ministry reportedly identified the two as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, both Bangladeshi nationals.

While several outlets have described them as a couple, The Week noted that it was not confirmed whether they were married to each other.

The ministry did not identify a specific statutory provision under which they were convicted. It warned that those who violate the sanctity of mosques or commit similar offences would face punishment under Saudi law.

Why is Bangladesh seeking answers?

Bangladesh has expressed disappointment over the lack of advance notification and is seeking details about the case and the circumstances surrounding the executions.

According to The Daily Star, the Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah said it had not been notified beforehand and had submitted a diplomatic note to Saudi authorities seeking formal acknowledgement of the matter.

Bangladesh's foreign affairs adviser, Humayun Kabir, also expressed disappointment over the lack of communication and said Dhaka was seeking an explanation, according to The Indian Express.

Saudi authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about the alleged acts or whether the two individuals had legal representation.

What is ta’zir under Islamic law?

The Saudi Interior Ministry said the sentences were imposed under ta’zir, a form of punishment that allows judicial discretion rather than prescribing a fixed penalty for every offence.

Islamic criminal law is commonly described through three broad categories:

Hadd: Offences for which traditional interpretations of Islamic law prescribe specific punishments.

Qisas: Retributive justice, generally involving offences such as murder or bodily injury.

Ta’zir: Offences for which the punishment is determined through judicial discretion rather than fixed in advance under traditional rules.

According to MENA Rights Group cited by The Indian Express, Saudi Arabia does not have a fully codified penal code, leaving judges significant discretion in interpreting Islamic law and determining criminal penalties.

Human Rights Watch noted in a 2008 report that ta’zir offences accounted for most criminal cases in Saudi Arabia and that judges were not bound by earlier rulings in the same way as under a system of binding precedent.

In this case, the Saudi ministry invoked ta’zir but did not disclose the specific legal reasoning behind the death sentences.

The limited public information makes it difficult to independently assess how the court reached its decision.

About the Author

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security.<br> <br> Bhanu also focuses on in-depth, interview-based reports and regularly speaking with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world.<br> <br> He is also interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles.<br><br> One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.<br> <br> For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work.<br> <br>He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic.<br><br> Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate had other plans and eventually led him to journalism.<br><br> Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music.<br> <br>For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.