Conflicting reports over the identity of a Bangladeshi woman executed in Saudi Arabia have raised questions about whether she was from Tangail or Bogra. Meanwhile, the family of a woman named Sweety in Tangail says she is still alive in a Saudi prison.
The family, from Nagar Chhawali village in Mahera union of Mirzapur upazila, Tangail, said the photograph published in the media does not match their daughter. They also said they spoke to 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, went to Saudi Arabia to support her family financially. However, questions remain over whether the Bangladeshi woman identified as Siti Akter, whose death sentence was carried out in Saudi Arabia, is the same person as Sweety Akter of Mahera village in Mirzapur.
Several media outlets identified the woman as Sweety Akter based on emigration clearance records of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) and her national identity card information. However, conversations with her family members during an on-site visit revealed a different account.
The family claims the published photograph does not match their daughter. Sweety’s mother, however, said many people in Saudi Arabia knew her daughter as “Siti.”
Family members said they had not received any official letter or formal information from the government regarding the execution in Saudi Arabia. As a result, they remain uncertain whether the woman who was executed was 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. Her employer there was Al Majal Al Arabi Group Company.
Recently, Saudi Arabian authorities carried out the death sentences of two Bangladeshis convicted of engaging in “immoral activities” at a mosque in Mecca. The incident sparked widespread discussion and criticism.
The family reiterated that the published photograph bears no resemblance to their daughter.
“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,” they said.
However, Sweety’s mother said many people in Saudi Arabia called or knew her daughter by the name “Siti.”
Local residents said Sweety went to Saudi Arabia toward the end of 2022. They said the matter should be resolved through a proper investigation.
Sweety’s father, Fazal Mia, said: “I spoke to my daughter as recently as last Tuesday. Since then, there has been no further contact. She told me she would return home after two months. Two years ago, after an argument with other female workers employed there, she was framed and sent to prison. After that, we could not find 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 said his daughter had gone to Saudi Arabia for work 3 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 said he learned about the matter through the media. He said he had also heard about the incident but 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 said: “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 said: “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 about her identity because the family has not received any formal information and disputes the published photograph. The matter may become clearer once the relevant authorities provide official confirmation.
