DHAKA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (Oct 18) sought an explanation from Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer H Abiyah over the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam disclosed the development to reporters Sunday afternoon.
“Bilateral Affairs Secretary M Nazrul Islam met with the Saudi ambassador,” a foreign ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to a message sent to the ministry by the Labour Welfare Wing of the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia, the two Bangladeshis were accused of engaging in adultery inside a mosque in Mecca.
Saudi authorities subsequently arrested, tried, sentenced and executed them.
The ministry said neither it nor the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia had been informed of the legal proceedings beforehand.
Dhaka learned about the executions after they took place on Oct 14 and foreign ministry had sought detailed information from Saudi Arabia regarding the executions.
A ministry official said a physical copy of a note verbale seeking clarification was handed over to the Saudi ambassador Sunday.
A note verbale is a formal, unsigned diplomatic communication used in international relations between embassies, foreign ministries, and international organisations.
“We had already sent a note verbale through electronic channels. Today, a physical copy was handed over,” the official added. - The Daily Star/ANN
