BANGLADESH SEEKS FUNDS TO SAVE CONVICTS ON SAUDI DEATH ROW

Bangladesh's government is seeking funds to pay "blood money" to secure the release of eight workers now on death row in Saudi Arabia over the murder of an Egyptian worker, officials said. "Diplomatic efforts are underway to liaise with the family of the murdered person to obtain release through payment of blood money," the country's foreign ministry said in a statement. The Bangladeshi community in Saudi Arabia, which numbers 1.75 million, "has also been asked to raise the required amounts," it said. The statement did not say how much money was needed.