Bangladesh
Bangladesh seeks Saudi case records as minister cites 7,500 prisoners
Shama Obaed says about 7,500 Bangladeshis are in Saudi prisons. Dhaka is still seeking verdict copies concerning two recently executed citizens. The government is also discussing visa and residence-permit extensions for workers affected by the conflict; no blanket extension was announced.
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From 24 October 2026 — Daily Brief
24 OCT 2026 · 4/25
Around 7,500 Bangladeshis are being held in Saudi Arabian prisons, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on 23 October, as Dhaka continued seeking details of the recent execution of two citizens.
Speaking at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, she said the government had asked Saudi authorities for copies of the verdicts and had not yet received the detailed information needed to explain the cases fully.
Shama said Bangladesh must respect another country’s judicial system but also has a responsibility to obtain information and seek assistance for its citizens. She said diplomatic efforts to explore reduced sentences or available clemency procedures were continuing where appropriate.
The minister spoke after receiving the body of Mohammad Shahed Ahmed, a Bangladeshi worker killed in a missile strike in Saudi Arabia, and handing it to his family.
She also said Bangladesh was working with Saudi authorities on extensions of visas and iqamas, or residence permits, for expatriates unable to return to work because of the conflict. Discussions covered rehabilitation and re-employment for workers who had lost jobs. These were continuing efforts, rather than an announced blanket extension of immigration permission.