Bangladeshi man, woman executed over indecent acts inside Makkah mosque

Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals after a court sentenced them to death for an indecent act inside a mosque in Makkah.

According to the kingdom’s Interior Ministry, the man and woman were identified as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, respectively. The Saudi authorities described their actions as immoral acts that violated the sanctity of the mosque, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The death sentences were imposed under ta’zir, a form of punishment under Islamic law in which the court has discretion over the penalty, the ministry said.

The case proceeded through the Saudi judicial system, with the verdicts upheld by the relevant judicial authority before a royal order authorised the executions.

The ministry said the punishment reflected the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances in which it took place.

The pair had been arrested by security authorities and later convicted by a competent court, according to the official statement.

Following the executions on October 14, the Interior Ministry reiterated that Saudi Arabia would take action against offences it considers violations of the sanctity of mosques. It said those found guilty of similar acts would face punishment under the kingdom’s laws.