RIYADH — Eight Bangladeshi workers who have been sentenced to death in a highly publicized murder case have appealed the verdict at a higher court. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government has instructed its embassy in Riyadh to appeal for royal clemency on behalf of the workers.
In all 14 Bangladeshis were indicted in the murder of an Egyptian national last year. The court sentenced three of the suspects to prison terms while the remaining three are at large.
“The Bangladesh Embassy is exerting all efforts to find out more details about the case,” S.M. Haroon-ur Rashid, an embassy spokesman, said yesterday.
“The accused workers have already made an appeal for judicial review, while the embassy is ascertaining the status of the case in which three other Bangladeshis have been handed down 12 years’ rigorous imprisonment.”
Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain has already instructed the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh to approach the Saudi government for seeking clemency for the eight men.
But, Rashid downplayed media reports about the murder trial, saying that these cases are negligible considering the large number of Bangladeshis living and working in Saudi Arabia.
“We see Saudi Arabia as one of our closest friends and ally and I am sure if there are any problems, they can be amicably resolved,” said the embassy spokesman, accusing media of drum beating on a few criminal cases involving his compatriots.
According to a report, the relatives and friends of the Bangladeshi workers currently on death row are also lobbying Dhaka to approach Saudi authorities for a royal pardon. They have urged the caretaker government in Dhaka repeatedly to take necessary steps so the Saudi government would grant amnesty to those convicted.
Seven of the men sentenced to death are: Mamun, 25, son of Mannan Sarker; Shafiqul, 23, son of Khowazuddin; Masud, 25, son of Shamsul Haque; Faruk, 38, son of Jamal Uddin; Suman, 25, son of Abdul Hye; Masud Rana, 25, of Brammanbaria; and Motiar Rahman, 28, son of Shahid Khan. The identity of eighth convict was not disclosed.
According to the prosecution in the case, the men intercepted an Egyptian and others who were allegedly stealing electric wires from a Riyadh company where the Bangladeshis worked. A clash ensued that resulted in the death of the Egyptian.
This led to Saudi police to file a case, accusing 14 Bangladeshis of the killing. But, the Bangladeshi officials and community members are not convinced of the outcome of police investigation.
Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser, who is also in charge of the Expatiates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry in Dhaka, said recently that a high-level delegation from Bangladesh will visit Saudi Arabia shortly to assess the situation and check facts.
