Dhaka, Oct. 23 -- Around 7,500 Bangladeshis are being held in prisons across Saudi Arabia on various charges, according to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.

She disclosed the figure on Friday while speaking to reporters after the body of Shahed Ahmed, a Bangladeshi killed in Saudi Arabia, was brought back to Dhaka.

"According to Bangladesh government records, around 7,500 expatriate Bangladeshis are currently held in prisons in different cities across Saudi Arabia," she said.

Shama added that Saudi authorities periodically sent lists of Bangladeshis convicted of various offences.

She also said Bangladesh had yet to receive details about the execution of two nationals, Nazrul Islam and Sweety Akter, on Oct 14 over a...