The government of Bangladesh is working to find out the details of the situation of Bangladeshis in captives in Saudi Arabia and the execution of the two expatriates.
Bangladeshi activist killed in an attack on King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday morning (October 23rd). State minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaid Islam said this while receiving the body of Shahed Ahmed.
He said the Saudi government has sent a list of Bangladeshis convicted and imprisoned at different times. The government is examining whether the names of the two Bangladeshis executed are on the list.
Bangladesh seeks copy of death sentence
The state minister said details are yet to be available on what charges were against the two Bangladeshis and how they were executed. A copy of the verdict has been sent to the Saudi government in this regard.
Shama Obaid Islam said that each country has its own judiciary. Bangladesh does not intend to interfere in the judicial system of other countries. However, if a Bangladeshi citizen is convicted abroad, especially if the death penalty is carried out, it is necessary to know the details of the case.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Ministry of Home Affairs and related departments work in a coordinated manner. The matter was also discussed in the diplomatic channel if there is an opportunity to waive the sentence.
More than a million Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia
The state minister said more than 40 lakh Bangladeshis work in Saudi Arabia. As a result, Bangladeshi workers are at risk of losing in war, attacks or any other accident in the country.
He said the bodies of 11 Bangladeshis killed in the Middle East conflict in the last six months have been brought back home. Shahed Ahmed is the last of them.
According to the state minister, three Bangladeshis have been killed in a missile attack in Saudi Arabia in the last one month. Among them, Shahed’s body came to the country. Efforts are also being made to bring the bodies of the other two to return to the country.
He also expressed hope that no more Bangladeshis would lose their lives in the future.
Discussion of visas for the employees
Shama Obaid Islam said discussions are also underway with Saudi Arabia to extend and renew the visas of migrant workers stranded in Bangladesh due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The state minister said talks between the two countries are continuing to resolve visa-related complications for workers who are unable to return to Saudi Arabia on time due to the conflict.