Approximately 7,500 Bangladeshi nationals are currently languishing in various prisons across Saudi Arabia, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has disclosed. She made these significant remarks on Friday morning while interacting with journalists at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, where she went to receive the repatriation of the mortal remains of Md Shahed Ahmed, an expatriate worker who was brutally killed in an attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Addressing the media, the state minister stated that the government of Bangladesh has formally written to the Saudi authorities seeking certified copies of court verdicts regarding the execution of two Bangladeshi citizens. The diplomatic channels are actively working to obtain detailed documentation to understand the judicial process and charges leveled against the two deceased men. She noted that once the official verdict copies are received, Dhaka will gain a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding their cases.
In response to queries regarding how the government tracks imprisoned citizens, Shama Obaed Islam explained that Saudi authorities periodically share lists of convicted prisoners and detainees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently cross-checking these lists to see if the names of the executed individuals appeared in prior communications. The government remains deeply committed to providing all necessary legal and diplomatic assistance to safeguard the rights and welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates residing abroad.
Meanwhile, the body of Shahed Ahmed arrived in Dhaka shortly after 8:00 am on a flight from Saudi Arabia. The state minister was present at the tarmac to receive the coffin and personally handed over the body, along with governmental financial assistance, to the victim's grieving wife, Kohinur Akter Kakoli. The tragic death of the worker at a major international transport hub has sparked widespread concern among families of expatriates working in the Gulf region.
Labor rights advocates and migration experts emphasize the critical need for proactive diplomatic engagement to ensure the safety of millions of Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Middle East. Ensuring robust legal defense for migrant workers facing severe penalties and streamlining the repatriation process for deceased workers remain paramount challenges for the foreign ministry, requiring continuous bilateral dialogue and vigilance.
