What happened?

Saudi authorities executed two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazrul Islam Abdul Bashir and Siti Attar, on October 14 in the Mecca region. According to the UAE outlet Gulf News, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the executions in a statement carried by the state news agency SPA.

Why were they sentenced to death?

The two were arrested inside a mosque in central Mecca on suspicion of indecent acts. They were then referred to a court, which set the punishment under 'ta'zir', a category of Islamic law in which the judge decides the penalty. The ministry said the court considered the seriousness of the offense and the violation of the mosque's sanctity.

Approval process

The ruling was reviewed by a higher judicial authority and finalized with a royal execution order, the ministry said.

Bangladesh's reaction

A Bangladeshi foreign ministry official said the speed of the arrests and executions was highly unusual. The official also said that no one had contacted the Bangladeshi mission on the detainees' behalf, which he found hard to understand.

Warning to others

The ministry said anyone committing similar crimes would face severe punishment under the kingdom's laws.

For international fans

Mecca is Islam's holiest city, and its mosques are subject to strict conduct rules for visitors of all nationalities. Travelers to Saudi Arabia should review local laws before going.