Olaiya Lateef KAYODE
October 23, 2026
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals over what authorities described as an “indecent act” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca, but viral claims circulating on social media that the victims were lovers executed for kissing remain misleading.
The executions according to credible sources reportedly took place on October 14, 2026, in the Mecca region, following a court ruling upheld by the relevant authorities and a royal order authorising the executions.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior identified the individuals as Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, both Bangladeshi nationals. The announcement was carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency and reported by international and Bangladeshi media outlets.
However, the official statement did not specify the exact act committed, identify the mosque involved or state whether the two individuals were romantically involved.
What Actually Happened?
According to the Saudi authorities, the two individuals were arrested by security operatives, investigated and subsequently charged before one of the courts in the kingdom.
The court reportedly found the charges proven and imposed the death penalty under Ta’zir*, a form of discretionary punishment under Islamic law. Authorities cited the seriousness of the offence and the violation of the sanctity of the time and place in which it occurred.
The verdicts were upheld, and a royal order was issued for the sentences to be implemented.
Nevertheless, the Saudi government’s public announcement did not provide the detailed court judgments or disclose the precise conduct that led to the convictions.
The Daily Star of Bangladesh reported on October 16, with an update on October 20, that the executions had taken place. Reuters also reported on October 21 that Bangladeshi authorities were seeking clarification from concerned authorities in Saudi Arabia.
Were They Lovers Executed for Kissing?
A claim that went viral on social media alleges that the two individuals were a newly married couple performing Umrah, lesser hajj, in Mecca alleged that the man kissed his pregnant wife’s belly inside the mosque, leading to their execution.
However, fact-checking by The Quint, published on October 20, found the claim misleading.
The official Saudi announcement did not state that the pair were married, newlyweds or romantic partners. It also did not say that kissing was the offence that resulted in their executions.
A separate report by Dhaka Tribune stated that family accounts didn’t align with the social media narrative that the two were a married couple who had travelled together for religious purposes.
Consequently, describing the victims as lovers executed specifically for kissing would go beyond the available verified evidence, hence, misleading.
Viral Photograph Is Not of the Executed Pair
Fact-checkers have also debunked a photograph circulated alongside the claim.
The Quint traced the image to a pregnancy announcement shared in December 2024 by Egyptian influencer Gehad Elbana and her husband, Ramzy Mahmoud.
The photograph was therefore unrelated to the Bangladeshi nationals executed in October 2026.
Fact Crescendo also reported on October 22 that viral videos circulating online as footage of the recent executions were unrelated to the case. One execution video was traced to an incident reported in 2015.
The circulation of these images and videos has contributed to confusion about the identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Bangladesh Demands Answers From Saudi Arabia
The executions have raised several questions in Bangladesh about consular notification and access to information concerning the legal proceedings.
Reuters reported on October 21 that the Bangladeshi government had requested copies of the court judgments, details of the offences and an explanation for why its diplomatic mission was not informed before the executions.
According to The Daily Star, an official at Bangladesh’s Consulate General in Jeddah confirmed that the mission had not received prior notification and had submitted a formal diplomatic note to the Saudi authorities for more clarity on the issue.
A report by Prothom Alo further stated that a list received by the consulate on September 30 included the names of the two nationals but did not specify their sentences.
The Bangladeshi authorities said they were awaiting further information before determining their next line of action.
What Remains Unclear?
Despite confirmation of the executions, several important details remain ambiguous in the publicly available information:
- The exact nature of the offences for which the duo were convicted.
- Whether they had any romantic relationship or were married.
- The full evidence and legal reasoning contained in the court judgments.
- Why the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission was not informed before the executions.
- Whether the widely reported claims about kissing, pregnancy and the identities shown in circulating photographs have any connection to the actual case.
The requested court documents could help clarify some of these questions.
Fact-Check Verdict: Misleading Claims About Lovers and Kissing
The key event is supported by reports citing the Saudi government’s announcement: two Bangladeshi nationals were executed in the Mecca region on October 14, 2026, after being convicted of an act described by the authorities as indecent or immoral.
However, the claims that they were newlyweds or lovers and were executed specifically for kissing inside a mosque have not been established by the available official statement or credible independent reporting.
The photograph circulated as evidence of their identities has also been traced to an unrelated Egyptian couple.
The conclusion is clear: the executions were reported, but the viral narrative explaining the victims’ relationship and the precise reason for their punishment remains unverified.
Sources: Saudi Press Agency; Reuters, October 21, 2026; The Daily Star, Bangladesh, October 16–20, 2026; The Quint, October 20, 2026; Dhaka Tribune; Prothom Alo; Fact Crescendo, October 22, 2026.
sources links:
- Saudi Press Agency: https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2701392
- Reuters report via ThePrint: https://theprint.in/world/bangladesh-yet-to-receive-saudi-response-on-execution-of-two-nationals/3077383/
- The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/crime-justice/news/ksa-executes-2-bangladeshis-immoral-act-4300016
- The Quint fact-check: https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/old-unrelated-photo-falsely-linked-to-saudi-arabia-executing-bangladeshi-man-woman-fact-check
- Fact Crescendo: https://english.factcrescendo.com/2026/10/22/unrelated-videos-shared-linking-to-execution-of-bangladeshi-couple-in-saudi/