Bangladesh father says daughter called from Saudi jail 15 days before reported execution

A Bangladesh family is desperately seeking answers after learning that their daughter, Sweety/Siti Akhtar, may have been executed in Saudi Arabia, despite speaking to her just 15 days earlier.

Her father, Fazal Mia, a day laborer from Tangail, borrowed 150,000 taka (approximately $1,212) to send her abroad nearly four years ago.

Sweety initially sent money home before being imprisoned following an alleged dispute with other workers.

“During one of her last calls, she said she might be released from jail in two months. She called us from jail as recently as 15 days ago. Even then, she said nothing about her sentence,” Fazal said to the Daily Star.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry acknowledged reports of two executions but could not confirm the identities.

“We do not know what has happened to my daughter. We do not even know whether she is alive or dead. We have only heard rumours,” Fazal said.