Cupid, Cuffed: How An Affair With A Saudi Envoy Landed Bangladeshi Model In Jail

Last Updated:October 07, 2025, 20:53 IST

The Bangladeshi model alleged that her affair with a Saudi diplomat led to her arrest and public shaming in Dhaka.

Bangladeshi model Meghna Alam said the relationship was brief but public.

Bangladeshi model and activist Meghna Alam alleged that her relationship with Essa Yousef Al Duhailan, Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador to Bangladesh, led to her arrest and public humiliation after their reported affair became the centre of a political and diplomatic controversy.

Meghna Alam, 30, said she met Al Duhailan at an event in Dhaka in September 2024. She alleged that the ambassador pursued her romantically, sending gifts including a Quran, jewellery and 200 kilograms of dates labelled a “Gift from the King of Saudi Arabia.”

The former Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020 said the relationship was brief but public, adding that the envoy had told her he was divorced. She claimed that after she ended contact with him, rumours began circulating in Dhaka that she had become pregnant and had an abortion- allegations she denies.

Sudden Arrest Of Meghna Alam

On April 9, 2025, Meghna Alam was detained when she arrived at her home while police claimed to investigate her birth certificate and possible drug possession. She went live on Facebook during the incident before being taken into custody.

Meghna Alam said she was held for two days without access to her family or legal counsel and pressured to delete the video. She was later charged with fraud, extortion and honey-trapping diplomats, under the Special Powers Act, which allows detention without trial.

Police alleged that Meghna Alam, along with businessman Dewan Samir and others, was part of a network that used women to lure foreign diplomats and businessmen into relationships for financial gain.

A Dhaka court ordered Meghna Alam’s 30-day detention, citing a risk to public order and foreign relations. She was released on bail on April 28.

Diplomat Leaves Bangladesh

Meghna Alam said that Al Duhailan left Bangladesh the same day she was detained and deleted his social media accounts. Amnesty International said it was “deeply concerned” by the use of the Special Powers Act in Meghna Alam’s arrest, calling it a violation of due process. A coalition of 27 Bangladeshi women’s rights activists also wrote to interim leader Muhammad Yunus, urging Alam’s release and an independent inquiry into her detention.

“Authorities must either charge her with a recognised offence or release her,” Amnesty said.

Meghna Alam has denied all allegations, saying she was targeted to protect the Saudi diplomat. She told The Independent, “They made me an object of shame. Certain forces are protecting him.”

The case remains under investigation.

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