Bangladesh has asked Saudi Arabia to explain the death sentences given to 2 of its citizens in Mecca, raising questions about the allegations, judicial process, legal assistance and the whereabouts of their bodies.
The Bangladeshi government says it was not informed before the sentences were carried out. Saudi Arabia has not yet responded to the questions, according to the available report.
The 6 questions from Bangladesh
Bangladesh asked Saudi authorities to clarify what allegations were brought against the 2 citizens and when and where the alleged incident took place. Dhaka also requested their arrest dates and certified copies of the court decisions.
The government is seeking information about how the death sentences were carried out. It specifically asked whether the 2 people were beheaded or executed in another way.
Bangladesh also wants to know where the bodies are being kept. It asked whether they will be returned to Bangladesh or whether they have already been buried in Saudi Arabia.
Another question concerns legal representation. Dhaka asked whether the 2 people had lawyers or received any form of legal assistance during the investigation and trial, and whether they had requested such help.
The sixth question relates to an alleged inconsistency in official information. A list of Bangladeshi prisoners handed to Saudi authorities in September reportedly mentioned adultery and information-technology-related offences for the 2 people, but did not mention a death sentence. Bangladesh asked why that information differs from a public statement by Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry.
What Bangladesh says happened
The 2 people, a Bangladeshi-origin man and woman, were sentenced to death after being found guilty of an obscene act inside a mosque in Mecca. The sentences were carried out on 14 October, according to the report.
Bangladesh said it was surprised because it had not received official information about the action beforehand. The country has since raised the matter through diplomatic and official channels.
Bangladesh's embassy in Jeddah sent a note verbale to the Mecca branch of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry on 19 October. The embassy's consul general also met a senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official on the same day to discuss the issue.
Bangladesh additionally raised the matter with the Saudi ambassador stationed in Dhaka. Bangladeshi officials reiterated that they had not been informed before the sentences were carried out.
Questions about 20 other prisoners
Bangladesh has also requested information about 20 citizens whose names appeared in a prisoner list as convicted people, while the details of their sentences were not clear.
The government is awaiting a response from Saudi Arabia on both the questions about the 2 deaths and the status of the 20 other Bangladeshi citizens.
Conclusion
Bangladesh is seeking clarification from Saudi Arabia on the allegations, judicial process, legal support, execution method, bodies and conflicting records. No response from Saudi Arabia has been reported so far.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many Bangladeshi citizens are at the centre of the dispute?
Bangladesh is seeking answers about 2 citizens who received death sentences in Mecca.
Q. When were the sentences carried out?
The report says the sentences were carried out on 14 October.
Q. What does Bangladesh want to know about the bodies?
It wants to know where the bodies are being kept and whether they will be returned to Bangladesh or buried in Saudi Arabia.
Q. Did Bangladesh receive advance information?
Bangladeshi officials say they were not informed before the sentences were carried out.
Q. What happened on 19 October?
Bangladesh's embassy in Jeddah sent a note verbale to the Mecca branch of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry, and its consul general met a senior Saudi official the same day.
Q. What additional information has Bangladesh requested?
It has sought details about 20 citizens listed as convicted prisoners whose sentences were not clear.
Q. Has Saudi Arabia replied?
The report says Saudi Arabia had not yet responded.
