Saudi Arabia executes two Bangladeshis over 'immoral act' inside mosque

Saudi Arabia has carried out the death sentences of two Bangladeshi nationals convicted of committing an act described by authorities as indecent inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the executions on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The sentences were carried out in the Makkah region after the completion of legal proceedings.

The two individuals were identified in the ministry’s statement as Nadhar Al-Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akter. Both were Bangladeshi nationals. Saudi authorities did not identify the mosque where the incident took place. The ministry described it as a mosque in Makkah, which it referred to as the Holy Capital.

According to the announcement, security authorities arrested both individuals following the incident. After an investigation, prosecutors charged them and referred the case to the relevant court.

Court imposes death sentences under ta’zir

According to the Interior Ministry, the court found the allegations against the two defendants proven and sentenced them to death under ta’zir.

Ta’zir is a category of punishment under Islamic law in which the penalty is determined through judicial discretion rather than being fixed for a specific offence. The ministry said the court considered the seriousness of the offence and the violation of the sanctity of the time and place when deciding the case.

The judgment became final after it was upheld by the relevant judicial authority, according to the official statement. A royal order was subsequently issued to implement the sentences in accordance with the final ruling. The ministry confirmed that both executions took place in the Makkah region on October 14.

However, the statement did not provide further details about the incident, including the precise nature of the act or the name of the mosque involved.

Saudi Interior Ministry issues warning

The Saudi Interior Ministry used the announcement to reiterate the government’s position on protecting the sanctity of mosques and enforcing the law.

The statement referred to Quranic verses concerning wrongdoing and corruption. It also said the government remained committed to maintaining public security, delivering justice and enforcing Islamic law.

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The ministry warned that anyone who committed similar offences could face punishment under Saudi law.

It specifically referred to acts that violate the sanctity of mosques and offences against people’s honour. According to the ministry, the executions followed the completion of the judicial process and the issuance of an order authorising the sentences.

What the official statement confirms

The announcement confirms the nationalities of the two individuals, the location of the case, the court’s decision and the date of the executions. However, the ministry did not disclose the name of the mosque or provide a detailed account of the incident.

It also did not release further information about the defendants’ personal circumstances or explain whether additional details from the investigation would be made public. The available information therefore remains limited to the official statement and media reports based on its contents.

The names of the two individuals have been transliterated differently in some reports. Saudi-based reports have identified them as Nadhar Al-Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akter, while a Bangladeshi news report has used the spellings Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.