Dhaka Seeks Copy of Saudi Court Verdict That Sentenced Two Bangladeshis to Death
Bangladesh has sought a copy of the verdict to learn the details of a Saudi Arabian court's death sentences against two Bangladeshis. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said the move followed an earlier request for information about the execution of their sentences. She spoke to reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Monday (19 October).
Shama Obaid said: 'Once we receive a copy of the verdict, we will be able to explain the matter more clearly and assess the situation.' Her remarks suggested that no final picture of the two condemned persons' cases is possible until the verdict copy arrives.
The two sentenced persons are one male and one female expatriate. Shama Obaid urged everyone to be patient about them, and advised people not to reach conclusions based on Facebook posts and to beware of false information and misinformation spreading on social media.
The state minister said that after receiving the documents, Dhaka will review the matter and decide its next steps through discussions with the Saudi authorities — meaning the verdict copy is now the basis for the next diplomatic move.
Shama Obaid said: 'The government has already sought the necessary information from Saudi Arabia. Dhaka is now waiting for Jeddah's reply.' The request for the verdict copy follows the earlier request for information about carrying out the death sentences.
She also noted that Saudi authorities regularly send the foreign ministry and Bangladesh's missions there detailed information, including names and identities, of Bangladeshis imprisoned in the country. 'We are verifying whether these two persons' names are on that list,' she said.
Asked whether the government has contacted the families concerned, Shama Obaid said the ministry does not yet have detailed information, and no information has been received from the families either — so contact with the families also remains at an initial stage.
The state minister described Saudi Arabia's response as 'very positive', saying: 'Saudi Arabia is an important destination for Bangladeshi workers.' She also highlighted the country's importance as one of the largest sources of remittances.
Shama Obaid Islam said: 'It is also the government's responsibility to ensure that Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia can work safely. We always keep that in mind.' Her remarks underlined that the safety of expatriate Bangladeshis is a government priority.
The state minister repeated: 'Please be patient and wait until we receive the copy of the verdict. After that we will be able to explain the matter more clearly.' She also called on the media and social media users to act responsibly to stop misinformation.
The government's move comes amid concern in the country over the death sentences of the two Bangladeshis. Only once it is known on what charges and through what process the sentences were handed down will Dhaka be able to examine the next legal and diplomatic options, the ministry's remarks indicated.
All eyes are now on the reply from Jeddah. Once the verdict copy is in hand, the government will assess the situation and sit down with the Saudi authorities — that is the essence of the state minister's statement. Until then, the foreign ministry has urged patience from everyone concerned, including the two expatriates' families.
