Conflicting reports regarding the identity of a Bangladeshi woman executed in Saudi Arabia have raised questions over whether she was originally from Tangail or Bogra. Meanwhile, the family of a woman named Sweety, residing in Tangail, maintains that she is still alive and currently held in a Saudi prison.
The family, from Nagar Chhawali village in Mahera union of Mirzapur upazila, Tangail, stated that the photograph published in the media does not match their daughter. They additionally reported that they spoke with her as recently as last Tuesday.
The local administration in Tangail said it had no specific information about the matter.
Sweety, the daughter of Fazal Mia, travelled to Saudi Arabia to financially support her family. However, questions remain over whether the Bangladeshi woman identified as Siti Akter, whose death sentence was carried out in Saudi Arabia, is the same individual as Sweety Akter of Mahera village in Mirzapur.
Several media outlets identified the woman as Sweety Akter based on emigration clearance records from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training and her national identity card information. However, conversations with her family members during an on-site visit revealed a different account.
The family claims that the published photograph does not match their daughter. However, Sweety’s mother stated that many people in Saudi Arabia knew her daughter by the name “Siti.”
Family members stated that they had not received any official letter or formal information from the government regarding the execution in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, they remain uncertain whether the woman who was executed was indeed their Sweety.
According to official records, Sweety Akter was born on August 11, 2001. She received emigration clearance to travel to Saudi Arabia through S Rana Trading International on February 5, 2023, and her employer there was the Al Majal Al Arabi Group Company.
Recently, Saudi Arabian authorities carried out the death sentences of two Bangladeshi nationals who were convicted of engaging in “immoral activities” at a mosque in Mecca. The incident has sparked widespread discussion and criticism.
The family reiterated that the published photograph bears no resemblance to their daughter.
Expressing their doubts, they said, "We have neither found Sweety alive nor received her body. We have questions about the name published by Saudi authorities and the photographs circulated through various media outlets. In particular, we believe the photograph does not match Sweety’s appearance."
However, Sweety’s mother stated that numerous individuals in Saudi Arabia contacted or recognized her daughter by the name "Siti."
Local residents stated that Sweety traveled to Saudi Arabia toward the end of 2022. They expressed that the matter should be resolved through a proper investigation.
Fazal Mia, the father of Sweety, stated that he last spoke to his daughter on the Tuesday prior to his statement, adding that there has been no further contact since then. According to Mia, she had told him she would return home after two months. He also recounted that two years ago, following an argument with other female workers employed at her workplace, she was framed and sent to prison, after which the family could not locate her for one year.
“My daughter has no relationship with anyone. However, the published photograph does not match my daughter. That is why we cannot do anything. I am asking the government to bring my daughter back.”
He added: “My daughter told me, ‘There is a lawyer. He will guide me through everything.’ My daughter herself would contact the lawyer. So far, no one from Bangladesh has contacted us about this.”
Fazal Mia further stated that his daughter had traveled to Saudi Arabia for employment three and a half years ago.
“My daughter used to look after people who went for Hajj. My daughter is married. She has neither a husband nor any children,” he said.
Sweety’s mother, Johura Begum, said the published photograph did not resemble her daughter.
“The name matches — Sweety. That is why we cry. They have killed my Sweety. What crime did my daughter commit for them to kill her? My daughter committed no crime,” she said.
She added: “I married my daughter off. Her marriage did not last, and she did not marry again. That is why my daughter went abroad to support us. My husband still works as a manual labourer digging earth. My daughter worked there for six months. Then, after a fight among the women, the police arrested my daughter. Since then, Sweety has been in prison. We did not speak to her over the phone for one year in between. Suddenly, one day, we spoke to Sweety again. We want our daughter back.”
Mahera Union Parishad Chairman Bibhas Sarkar Nupur stated that he learned about the matter through the media. He added that while he had also heard about the incident, he could not confirm whether the woman who was executed was Sweety Akter from Mahera village.
However, Sweety's brother-in-law, Abdul Malek, told him that "Siti Akter," who was executed in Saudi Arabia, was the Sweety from their family.
Mirzapur police station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun said he had no information about the matter.
Mirzapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Zahirul Alam stated: "We are looking into the matter. If Sweety’s home is in Mirzapur, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send us a letter regarding the receipt of the body. We are also uncertain about this."
Tangail Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar stated: “We will have to check with the ministry and inform you.”
Although official records and various media reports have identified the woman executed in Saudi Arabia as Sweety Akter from Mirzapur, questions remain regarding her identity because her family has not received any formal information and disputes the published photograph. The matter may become clearer once the relevant authorities provide official confirmation.
Why it matters
The identity dispute highlights ongoing consular uncertainties surrounding Bangladeshi nationals facing capital punishment abroad.