Viral Photo Misidentified as Executed Bangladeshi Couple in Saudi Arabia
A widely circulated image claiming to show a Bangladeshi couple executed in Saudi Arabia is actually from a pregnancy photoshoot.
The photo in question is linked to an Egyptian influencer's pregnancy announcement, not an execution.
Two Bangladeshi nationals were executed in Saudi Arabia, but details about their relationship remain unclear.
Official statements from Saudi authorities do not specify the nature of the acts leading to the executions.
A photo depicting a couple at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca has gone viral on social media, with claims that it shows a Bangladeshi couple executed for indecent acts. This assertion has been propagated by various users, including a Supreme Court lawyer, who claimed that the couple was executed for a simple act of affection inside the mosque.
While it is confirmed that two Bangladeshi nationals were executed in Saudi Arabia for indecent acts, the official reports do not clarify the specifics of the acts or the execution method. A search for verification led to a BBC report confirming the execution of a man and a woman from Bangladesh, but without details on their relationship or the nature of their actions.
Further investigation revealed that the deceased man's father stated the woman was not his son's wife, indicating a lack of clarity around their connection. The Saudi Press Agency published a statement on October 14, 2026, confirming the execution of two individuals identified as Nadhir Al Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar for committing indecent acts in a mosque, but did not elaborate on the specifics.
The viral photo was traced back to a Facebook post from December 24, 2024, where it was identified as part of a pregnancy photoshoot by Egyptian influencer Gehad Elbana. Elbana had shared similar images on her Instagram, celebrating her pregnancy with her husband, Ramzy Mahmoud, who also posted a video of the occasion.
In conclusion, the image circulating online is not connected to the recent executions in Saudi Arabia but rather stems from an unrelated personal celebration. This incident highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it, especially in sensitive contexts such as executions and public figures.
