Two Bangladeshi nationals executed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals convicted of committing an “immoral act” inside a mosque in the Makkah region, the Saudi Ministry of Interior has said.

The two were identified as Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, according to Saudi-based electronic newspaper Ajel. Their executions were carried out on Wednesday.

Security authorities arrested the pair following an investigation and brought formal charges against them, the report said.

A court subsequently found them guilty and sentenced them to death under ta’zir, a form of discretionary punishment under Islamic law, citing the seriousness of the offence and the violation of the sanctity of the place and time.

The verdict was upheld on appeal, and a royal order was issued for the executions, according to the report.

The Ministry of Interior said the Saudi government was committed to maintaining security, upholding justice and enforcing Islamic law against those who violate the sanctity of mosques or engage in immoral acts.

It warned that anyone committing similar offences would face legal consequences.