Saudi Arabia executes 2 Bangladeshis over 'indecent acts,' and other Mideast news

The Daily Star reports that the Saudi Ministry of Interior named the two as Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar in a statement issued on October 14 and carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.[2]Prothom Alo, citing Gulf News, reports that a court found the pair guilty and sentenced them to death under ta'zir, a discretionary punishment under Islamic law.[3]The Business Standard reports that a royal order authorised the executions after the verdicts were upheld.[4]According to the AP roundup, the Interior Ministry cited "the gravity and seriousness of their actions in violating the sanctity of both time and place," but did not elaborate.[1]The Daily Star says the statement did not identify the mosque or say when the two were arrested.[2]The Business Standard quotes Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs as saying that "On 14 October, we learned" of the executions, and that neither the foreign ministry nor the Bangladeshi mission had been told in advance.[5]She told reporters: "We have yet to receive any official detailed information from the Saudi government."[5]Khaama Press reports that a mission official told The Daily Star the consulate in Jeddah had sent a note verbale to Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry asking for official acknowledgement of the executions.[6]According to Khaama Press, Saudi authorities have not explained publicly why Bangladesh's consular mission was not told before the executions.[6]