The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain yesterday instructed Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh to approach the Saudi government seeking mercy for eight convicted Bangladeshis.

Besides, family members of the eight Bangladeshis urged the Caretaker Government (CG) to take immediate steps to bring them back home alive.

A total of 14 Bangladeshis had been accused of killing an Egyptian national in Saudi Arabia and eight of them were condemned to death. However, two of the accused 14 Bangladeshis managed to flee back to home, they said.

After the conviction, the eight convicts appealed to the High Court in Saudi Arabia.

The Bangladeshis who condemned to death are - Mamun, 25, son of Mannan Sarker, Shafiqul, 23, son of Khwazauddin and Masud, 25, son of Shamsul Haque of Tangail, Faruk, 38, son of Jamal Uddin of Comilla, Sumon, 25, son of Abdul Hye of Kishoregonj, Masud Rana, 25 of Brahmanbaria and Motiur Rahman, 28, son of Shahid Khan of Faridpur. The identity of another person could not be determined.

Meanwhile, parents of the convicted Bangladeshis said their sons intercepted an Egyptian on April 28 last year while he was stealing electric cable from Al Tuek Co in Riyadh where the Bangladeshis used to work.

They opposed and said the Egyptian along with his associates attacked the Bangladeshis triggering a clash in which the Egyptian died. Then the Saudi government arrested the Bangladeshis in connection with the murder.