More than 15,000 Bangladeshis are currently detained in foreign prisons, underscoring ongoing challenges faced by their families and the limited assistance provided by Bangladeshi diplomatic missions abroad. According to data from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry as of late September 2026, the largest number of detainees are held in Saudi Arabia, with significant populations also in Malaysia, India, Thailand, and other countries.
Among those affected is Amjad Hossain, 41, who has been imprisoned in Thailand for several months after allegedly being trafficked through Laos and Cambodia. His wife, Sumona Akter, has been seeking intervention from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry to secure his return but says she has received no updates. She learned about her husband’s condition through other detainees who returned from the same Thai prison, citing allegations of trafficking and mistreatment. Sumona, who lives in Rajbari with their young daughter, expressed deep concern for Amjad’s wellbeing and urged authorities to help bring him home.
The foreign ministry’s September figures show that approximately 7,500 Bangladeshis are detained across Saudi Arabia, with 5,480 alone in Jeddah. Malaysia holds 2,217 detainees, and India has 1,444. Other countries with notable Bangladeshi prisoner populations include Dubai, Oman, Libya, Greece, Kuwait, Vietnam, and Thailand. The reasons for detentions range from serious criminal charges to immigration violations, such as visa overstays or lack of proper documentation.
Families and rights advocates have criticized Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions for insufficient consular support. Three brothers from Sylhet, detained in Saudi Arabia for nearly a year on disputed charges related to a protest, reported difficulty obtaining assistance despite repeated contact attempts. They allege local missions only acted after public campaigns were organized in Bangladesh. Even upon release, they had to independently arrange their return expenses.
Controversies have also arisen following the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia on October 14. Confidential consular documents indicated the names of Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Sweety Akhtar on prisoner lists but did not reveal their death sentences. The consulate stated that Saudi authorities did not notify them of the sentences or executions, and neither family sought legal aid. Bangladesh’s government formally requested clarification and court documentation, but questions remain about the extent of follow-up by diplomatic officials after the initial prisoner listings were received.
In contrast, officials from several Bangladeshi missions maintain that they regularly visit detained nationals, provide legal assistance, and coordinate with host countries. The mission in Malaysia reports weekly prison visits and plans to employ lawyers to support detainees once agreements are in place. Most Malaysian cases reportedly involve visa overstays, with fewer related to serious offenses. Similarly, the Saudi mission claims to aid detainees, highlighting that many charges stem from alleged employer disputes that are often refuted. In India, consular staff conduct prison visits and facilitate travel permits for detainees without passports. The mission in Thailand noted that repatriation cannot occur until sentences are completed, but legal representation may be provided upon family requests.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam emphasized Bangladesh’s respect for foreign judicial processes and ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure pardons, sentence reductions, and repatriations. She cited the recent release of more than 200 Bangladeshis detained in the UAE during political unrest as an example of effective coordination among government agencies. Acknowledging complaints about inadequate consular support, she encouraged affected families to raise their concerns directly with her office. She also highlighted the financial and human costs associated with migration brokers and stressed the importance of preparing migrants about the legal environments of destination countries.
To improve monitoring and support, the foreign ministry is developing an online system to track Bangladeshis imprisoned abroad, recording personal and legal details with alerts ahead of sentence completions to facilitate timely repatriations.
Experts from migration-focused organizations advocate for distinct handling of detainees based on the nature of their cases, emphasizing the need for legal support and repatriation services, especially for those facing immigration-related issues. They also underscore the importance of comprehensive pre-departure orientation to reduce legal complications overseas and provide ongoing assistance to detainees and their families.