Nazrul Islam, 25, was executed on 14 October after spending more than three years in prison; his family is now seeking the return of his body.
TBS Report
19 October, 2026, 05:55 pm
Last modified: 19 October, 2026, 06:06 pm
The execution of a Bangladeshi man in Saudi Arabia has plunged his family in Brahmanbaria into grief, with his aunt dying of a heart attack after hearing the news of his death.
Nazrul Islam, 25, from Birampur village in Sultanpur union of Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila, was executed on 14 October along with another Bangladeshi national, Siti Akter. Both had been sentenced to death over alleged immoral activity in a mosque compound in Saudi Arabia.
Nazrul's aunt, Abeda Begum, who had helped raise him from childhood, died of a heart attack after receiving the news of Nazrul's execution.
Nazrul was the eldest of four siblings and the sole breadwinner for his family. He went to Saudi Arabia in November 2022 to help ease his family's financial hardship and worked as a cleaner in Makkah. He was arrested about six months after arriving in the country and spent more than three years in prison.
His mother, Rahima Begum, said she had spoken to him by phone on 11 October, unaware that it would be their last conversation. Nazrul used to call her every Sunday from prison.
"We did not understand that Sunday would be the last Sunday of my son's life," she said. "I want to see my son one last time and touch his body. I request the government to bring his body back and help our family."
Some local residents and former classmates have questioned the handling of the case and the role of the Bangladesh embassy in Saudi Arabia. They alleged that Nazrul did not receive adequate legal assistance and was wrongly implicated.
His former classmate Mahfuz said Nazrul had called him from prison and claimed he was a victim of a conspiracy. Mahfuz alleged that although Nazrul was present at the scene, he was not involved in the incident and that language barriers prevented him from proving his innocence.
Anwar, a neighbour who works in Saudi Arabia, also criticised the handling of the case, alleging that Nazrul's nationality affected the outcome. These claims have not been independently verified.
Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Sayeed said the district administration would take steps to bring Nazrul's body back to Bangladesh and provide necessary assistance to his family.