Dhaka Summons Saudi Ambassador Seeking Explanation Over Execution of Two Bangladeshis

Over the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the country's ambassador posted in Dhaka and sought an explanation. On Sunday, Ambassador Dr. Abdullah Jafar bin Abiyah was summoned to the Padma State Guest House.

Foreign Ministry sources said that when the ambassador presented himself, the ministry's Secretary (East-West) discussed the matter with him in detail. It is believed that the summons was made to learn about the entire process of carrying out the death sentences and the information behind it.

Earlier, on Saturday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid had said that a letter had been sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Saudi government regarding the death sentences of the two Bangladeshis. She said it would be possible to say anything clearly only after receiving Saudi Arabia's reply. She mentioned that everything that needs to be known about the death sentences had been asked.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has said that the two Bangladeshis who received the death sentences are named Najerul Islam Abdul Bashir and Siti Akhtar. Their death sentences were carried out last Wednesday in the Makkah region.

It has been learned that the two were given this punishment for committing 'immoral acts' in a mosque. However, the Saudi authorities did not give details about exactly what kind of crime they were given the death sentence for.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia's state news agency, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), said the country's security forces arrested the two Bangladeshis. Later, on the basis of an investigation, charges were brought against them and they were sent to the relevant court.

According to the statement, as the charges were proved in court, the two Bangladeshis were given the death sentence. The country said that, considering the gravity of the crime and the violation of the sanctity of the place, this punishment was given under the 'ta'zir' provision of Islamic law.

Ta'zir is a punishment in Islamic law that is at the judge's discretion. The statement mentioned that after the verdict, the sentence was ordered to be carried out through a royal order.

However, the Saudi authorities gave no details as to which mosque in Makkah the incident occurred in, or in what circumstances they were arrested. This gap in information is now at the centre of Dhaka's questions.

After the Foreign Ministry's letter, by now directly summoning the ambassador to seek an explanation, it became clear how seriously Dhaka is taking the incident. On the question of the safety and rights of expatriate Bangladeshis, incidents of this kind are always sensitive.

Now everyone's eyes are on Saudi Arabia's formal reply. According to the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, once that reply is in hand, a clear picture of the whole incident will be obtained and a decision will be taken about the next steps.