Did Saudi Arabia execute a Bangladeshi couple for kissing in a mosque?
Did Saudi Arabia execute a Bangladeshi couple because the husband kissed his pregnant wife's belly inside the Mecca mosque, and does the viral photo show them?
Misleading
Claim about execution reasons and the photo is misleading.
Reports confirm that Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals for an 'indecent act' in October 2026, but the claim that it was solely for kissing inside a mosque is misleading and unverified.
EditedClaims
✕ 1 falseSaudi Arabia has executed newlywed Bangladeshi couple Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siri/Siti Akhtar.234
While it's accurate that Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals for an 'indecent/immoral act,' the assertion that they were newlyweds and the details of their relationship are unverified and contradicted by family reports. Independent sources confirm the execution took place on October 14, 2026, but the specifics of the act or whether they were married are not established in official statements.
Nazrul merely 'kissed his pregnant wife's belly' inside Mecca Mosque (and that this is why they were executed).1
The specifics of a 'kiss' causing the execution are not established in government communications or independent reporting. The Saudi Press Agency only described the act as 'indecent/immoral,' and different narratives have been spun online. Family members claim the woman wasn't related as a wife, which contradicts the narrative presented.
The photo attached to the post shows the executed Bangladeshi couple kissing at the Kaaba (i.e., the image is of the victims).1
The image circulating with the post has been verified to be from a 2024 pregnancy announcement by an Egyptian influencer, Gehad Elbana. It does not depict the Bangladeshi couple or relate to their execution, indicating the image is completely misattributed.
What was posted
XThe post on Twitter claims that Saudi Arabia executed a Bangladeshi couple for merely kissing in a mosque. The accompanying image is purported to show this couple's intimate moment.
“Saudi Arabia has EXECUTED Newlywed Bangladeshi Couple Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siri Akhtar. Nazrul merely “Kissed his Pregnant Wife's Belly” inside Mecca Mosque.”
Who posted it
XAccount check
Estimates from public signals — account age, posting pattern, audience — not a judgement of the person behind the account, and separate from whether this post is true.
What stood out
- No matching Twitter account found for handle 'shashank_ssj'.
- Similar handles exist, such as '@shashank_moghe' and '@shashanksprakas', but they are not verified and have low follower counts, indicating potential low authenticity.
Signals (4)+
- Posting cadence
- 0
- Follower ratio
- 0
- Notable news coverage
- No
- Fact check history
- No
Account checked October 21, 2026, 14:57 UTC
The media
Image✓ What is genuine
The image is a real photograph but misattributed to the executed couple; it features unrelated individuals.
The tells
- ●●● Strong signal The photo's emotional appeal is disproportionate to the vague official details.our visual review
- ●●○ Supporting signal Use of the photo to illustrate specific intimate details that remain unverified.our visual review
Synthetic-media detector
Detector ranThe claim stands or falls on whether the media is real, so the detector ran.
Scores are the detector’s estimate for the file as uploaded. A low score does not rule out editing, a spliced caption, or footage shown out of context — those are judged above. Model v3.
How we checked the media
- We performed reverse-image searches on the viral photo to verify its origin.
- Independent fact-checkers confirmed the image's previous social media context.
- Analyzed the official Saudi communications regarding the executions.
Sources
5 sources reviewed- 1No, Photo Doesn’t Show Bangladeshi Nationals Who Were Executed in Saudi Arabia (Fact-check) ↗
The Quint · thequint.comUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveEvidence
Confirms the photo's origin and misattribution.
- 2KSA executes 2 Bangladeshis for ‘immoral act’ ↗
Khaleej Times · khaleejtimes.comUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveEvidence
Details about the executions of Bangladeshi nationals.
- 3KSA executes 2 Bangladeshis over mosque indecency case ↗
The Daily Star (Bangladesh) · thedailystar.netUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveEvidence
Additional details from credible media regarding the event.
- 4Bangladesh yet to receive Saudi response on execution of two nationals ↗
ThePrint (Reuters feed) · theprint.inUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisiveContext
Reports on the lack of notification to involved parties.
- 5Two Bangladeshis executed by Saudi Arabia: reporting roundup ↗
The Business Standard (TBS) · tbsnews.netUntiereduntiered — treated as signal only, never decisive
“Coverage confirms the executions were carried out on October 14, names the two nationals, and records Dhaka's request for clarification.”
Further reading
- 2Khaleej Times Provides official confirmation of executed nationals.
- 1The Quint Offers a thorough fact-check of the misleading photo.
The full story
On October 14, 2026, Saudi authorities executed two Bangladeshi nationals identified as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti/Sweety Akhtar for an 'indecent/immoral act' inside a mosque in the Makkah region. However, the official statements did not disclose the specific conduct that led to the conviction or clarify the relationship between the individuals involved. Family members have raised serious concerns, alleging a lack of due process and claiming they were not properly notified of the impending executions. Conflicting narratives circulating on social media suggested that a simple kiss was the cause, but there are no credible sources that validate this assertion. Several media outlets reported on the executions, but details remained sparse. The image accompanying the viral claim is unrelated, originating from a pregnancy announcement posted in 2024 by an Egyptian influencer, thus further obscuring the truth of the situation. This illustrates how misinformation can spread, pairing factual events with fabricated narratives to create sensational stories.
Timeline
October 14, 2026
Saudi Arabia executes Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti/Sweety Akhtar. 2Khaleej Times
December 23, 2024
The image was originally posted by influencer Gehad Elbana on social media as part of a pregnancy announcement. 1The Quint
How it was framed
The post presents a factual event — the execution of two individuals — but attaches misleading and fabricated motives and a completely unrelated image.
- Emotional language. The use of terms like 'EXECUTED' and 'merely kissed' creates a dramatic emotional appeal.
- Missing context. Lacks detail on the specific nature of the conduct leading to execution, fueling speculation.
Bias
Leans anti-Saudi / critical of Saudi judicial practice. The post uses emotive language ('EXECUTED' in all caps) and pairs a dramatic, sympathetic narrative (newlyweds, pregnant wife, a kiss) with an unrelated celebratory photo to maximize outrage at Saudi authorities. Presenting an unrelated happy photo as evidence of the victims' identities and conduct pushes a strongly critical framing of Saudi actions.
Bias describes how the post frames its message — the slant of the language, selection and emphasis — and is judged separately from whether the claim is true. A true claim can still be framed with a strong slant.
How we checked
1 min 32 s- 1
Conducted thorough searches using queries related to the claim.
- 2
Examined multiple news reports and official statements regarding the executions.
- 3
Performed reverse-image checks on the viral photo to ascertain its origins and context.
✓ Claim checked✓ Media checked✓ Sources checked
Why 87% confidence
HighOur confidence is HIGH due to the consistency across multiple reputable sources and verified details regarding the event. However, the misattribution of the image and unverified claims around the reason for execution lowered our certainty in some elements.
Limits. We did not have access to all family statements or any additional unpublished reports that could provide further context.
What we don’t know
- What the precise conduct was that led to the execution of the Bangladeshi nationals.
- The specific relationship between Nazrul and Siti/Sweety Akhtar.
- Why the family was not informed about the execution process in advance.
Spot it yourself
Spot the fakeLooks suspicious, isn’t proof
- The source of the claims is a single post without corroborating reports at the time.
- Dramatic tone suggests sensationalism rather than a factual report.
- The image is visually emotional, making it prone to misinterpretation.
The actual evidence
- Multiple reputable outlets confirmed the execution took place on October 14, 2026.
- The viral photo is verified to be misattributed and from 2024.
- There is no authoritative source confirming the specific reason for the execution as stated in the misleading claim.
- 1
Search for official news sources to verify significant events.
Visit recognized news outlets to check for confirmations of serious claims.
- 2
Check the context of images before attributing them to claimed events.
Utilize reverse image search tools to find original sources of viral images.
- 3
Look for official statements regarding controversial actions like executions.
Investigate government or authoritative agency press releases that detail events.
Takeaway
Always verify the details surrounding sensational claims before sharing or believing them; context is crucial for understanding the truth.
Questions people ask
What was the official reason for the executions?+
Saudi authorities cited an 'indecent/immoral act' committed inside a mosque, but did not provide details.
Is the photo truly related to the executed couple?+
No, the photo circulated with the claim is from a pregnancy announcement by an Egyptian influencer in 2024, not related to the executed couple.
Are there any verified details about the couple's execution?+
Yes, multiple reputable sources confirmed that the executions occurred on October 14, 2026, but many specific details remain unverified.
Go deeper
- Indecent/immoral act
- A legal term likely referring to behavior deemed unacceptable by societal or legal standards.
- Misinformation
- False or misleading information shared, regardless of intent to deceive.
People also search for
For educators+
- What are some strategies for verifying viral information?
- How can narrative framing affect our perceptions of news events?
About this check
- Platform
- X
- Posted by
- @shashank_ssj
- Posted
- October 20, 2026
- Age when checked
- 1–2 days old when checked
- Where it spread
- SA, BD, India
- Audience
- International audience
- Language
- EN
- Status
- ● Post is live
- Verified
- October 21, 2026, 14:59 UTC
- Published
- October 21, 2026, 14:59 UTC
Reach. 21.2K likes, 1.9K replies on primary; two Newschecker checks 21 Oct
This verdict was generated with AI from the sources shown. AI can make mistakes — check the sources before relying on it.
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