Describing the execution of two Bangladeshis as “very disappointing”, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said Bangladesh has sought an explanation from its friendly country Saudi Arabia over it, citing a possible gap in information sharing and communication between the two countries.
“We have sought an explanation from our friendly bilateral partner to look into the matter and know why the gap in information sharing and exchanges happened here. We are in discussions,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The State Minister, however, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his government enjoyed good and deep relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing hope that the ties would reach a new height.
He said there appeared to have been a lapse somewhere in the process.
Talking to reporters separately, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said they are still waiting for a copy of the verdict to know in detail.
"Please wait until we receive a copy of the verdict (from the Saudi authorities),”she said.
Bangladesh on Sunday sought further information from Saudi Arabia regarding the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, raising the issue with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah.
Secretary (East & West) Dr Md Nazrul Islam sought detailed information about the executions during a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
When asked whether the move could be described as summoned, another official told UNB, “No, it was not."
Although Dhaka raised the issue with the Saudi envoy, it expressed confidence that the incident would not affect the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
The importance of staying “mindful” of the laws of the host country was also discussed.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of cooperation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia across various sectors.
On Saturday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the government had yet to receive detailed official information from Saudi authorities regarding the execution of a Bangladeshi man and a woman, adding that such unfortunate news was unexpected.
“We have yet to receive any official detailed information from the Saudi government,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that Bangladesh sent a letter to the Saudi government requesting detailed information.
Earlier, Saudi media reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed the two Bangladeshis after they were convicted of committing “indecent acts” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.
Quoting the Saudi Interior Ministry, Gulf News reported that the court imposed the sentences because of the seriousness of the offence, the violation of the sanctity of the mosque, and the circumstances in which the acts were committed.
The Saudi authorities identified the two Bangladeshis as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.
“On October 14, we learned that two Bangladeshi nationals had been sentenced to death under Saudi Arabian law and that the executions had been carried out,” the State Minister said, noting that neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Bangladesh Mission in Saudi Arabia had been informed in advance.
“We wanted to know whatever we needed to know. Let the reply come. I will be able to let you know,” Shama said.
Upon learning of the incident, the Bangladesh Mission notified the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, sharing all the information it had gathered from Saudi authorities.
The State Minister said the government sent a formal inquiry to ascertain the full details, including the identities of the individuals, their backgrounds in Bangladesh, and when they had originally arrived in Saudi Arabia for work.
Based on past experience, the State Minister said Saudi Arabia has its own legal framework and that anyone found guilty of a grave offence is punished in accordance with the country’s laws.
“The execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia serves as a major lesson for us,” she said.
Shama Obaid said the repatriation of the bodies could be arranged once a response to the letter is received from Saudi Arabia.