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Saudi diplomat slain in Dhaka

The 45-year-old consular section official was found outside his home with a gunshot wound to the chest
Saudi diplomat slain in Dhaka
Published: March 06, 2012 03:49 PM GMT
Updated: March 06, 2012 03:49 PM GMT

An official from the Saudi Arabian embassy in Dhaka was shot and killed early this morning near his diplomatic residence in the capital’s up-market Gulshan district. Police said that neighbors of Khalaf al-Ali, 45, an official in the consular section, found him near his home with a gunshot wound to the chest. Khalaf al-Ali was admitted to a nearby hospital but died early this morning. The Foreign Ministry in a statement expressed its sorry and shock over the killing and tendered official condolences to the family of the deceased and his colleagues within the Saudi mission in Dhaka. “The concerned authorities of the Government of Bangladesh have already been directed to conduct immediately a full-scale investigation into this tragic incident in order to find out the details and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.” Government and Saudi officials visited the scene of the shooting today and police have increased security throughout the area. State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque told reporters that he had instructed police to investigate but that so far authorities have been unable to determine a motive or any suspects in the shooting. Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have long been close allies. Saudi Arabia provides substantial economic aid and is the largest overseas labor market for an estimated 2 million Bangladeshi workers. However relations have been strained since the public beheadings of eight Bangladeshi workers last year charged with robbery and murder. In recent months, thousands of Bangladeshi migrants have been deported for allegedly overstaying their visas or committing other immigration violations. Related reports Bishop condemns Saudi executions

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