Bangladesh presses Saudi Arabia for verdict copy in 2 executions
Collected Photo
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said nearly 7,500 Bangladeshis are imprisoned in various jails across Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh sent a formal letter to the Saudi government requesting a copy of the verdict to obtain full details regarding the execution of two Bangladeshi citizens in that country.
However, Dhaka has not yet received detailed information regarding the specific charges brought against those two Bangladeshis or the grounds for their execution.
She made these remarks after receiving the body of Md Shahed Ahmed, a Bangladeshi worker killed in a Houthi attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday morning.
Shama added that Bangladesh summoned the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to discuss the matter. The government officially requested a copy of the verdict from the Saudi government. Once received, detailed information regarding the execution will become clear.
Noting that the Saudi government periodically sends lists of convicted and executed individuals, she said, “The government is verifying whether the names of those two Bangladeshis are on the list.
“Every country has its own judicial system. It is not Bangladesh’s intention to interfere in the judicial system of another country. However, when a Bangladeshi is convicted abroad, especially when an execution is carried out, it is essential to know the details.
“In such events, alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other departments work in a coordinated manner. If there is an opportunity for clemency, discussions are also conducted through diplomatic channels.”
On 10 October, Shahed died in a Houthi attack at the airport. Authorities then handed over the body along with government financial assistance to his wife, Kohinur Akter Kakoly.
Shahed’s home is located at Madla village in Shahjahanpur, Bogura. His father is Md Rafiqul Islam and his mother is Shahera Begum. He worked as a plumber on a Jeddah project for a contracting company in Saudi Arabia. He fell victim to the attack while staying at the airport on his way back to his workplace via Riyadh following a vacation.
Another Bangladeshi worker, Md Nasrullah Badarpuri from Badarpur village of Nangalkot, Cumilla, also died in that same attack. Several other Bangladeshis suffered injuries.
However, discrepancies exist among reports published at various times regarding the exact number of injured individuals. According to previous information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24 people sustained injuries in this incident.
Shama said more than 4 million Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia. As a result, whenever war or any other incident occurs in that country, Bangladeshi workers face the risk of becoming casualties. Over the past six months, authorities have repatriated the bodies of 11 Bangladeshis killed in the Middle East conflict.
She added that three Bangladeshis lost their lives in missile attacks in Saudi Arabia over the past month. Among them, Shahed’s body has reached the country, while efforts continue to swiftly bring back the bodies of the others. She expressed hope that no other Bangladeshi would have to lose their life in such a manner in the future.
Moreover, Shama shared that discussions are underway with Saudi Arabia regarding extending and renewing visa validity for expatriate workers stranded in Bangladesh due to the Middle East conflict.
Addressing allegations that expatriates fail to receive adequate assistance from Bangladeshi embassies and missions abroad, Shama explained that every mission maintains a Labor Welfare Wing. Expatriates typically report complaints to these wings, where officials from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare or the Ministry of Labor operate.
She affirmed that providing assistance to expatriates remains the duty of both the embassies and the government. If authorities receive allegations of negligence against any mission, they will investigate the matter and take necessary action.
