Release of Kozhikode man Abdul Rahim gets delayed; Riyadh Court sets case for further review

Riyadh: Though it was believed that the Riyadh Criminal Court would issue an order releasing Abdul Rahim, a native of Kodampuzha, Farook, Kozhikode, who is currently imprisoned in Riyadh’s Iskan jail, the court has postponed the verdict regarding his release once again. This is the sixth time that the court has postponed the hearing regarding Rahim's release. It was highly anticipated that the Riyadh Criminal Court would issue an order for Rahim's release this time.

The court last reviewed the case on Monday, December 30. During the session, held at 11:30 AM at the Riyadh Criminal Court, the matter was adjourned to Wednesday, January 15, 2025, citing the need for further study. Though the sitting on January 15 lasted around an hour, the court has decided to reconsider the case. The date of the next hearing will be announced later.

Abdul Rahim has been incarcerated in Riyadh’s Iskan jail for the past 18 years in connection with the murder of a Saudi boy. The court has previously delayed its decision on his release five times.

In November 2006, Abdul Rahim was arrested by the police in connection with the murder of a Saudi child and later sentenced to death by the Riyadh court after a trial. However, the death penalty was waived following the payment of diya (blood money) amounting to 1.5 crore Saudi Riyals (over ₹34 crore). The delay in issuing the release order is reportedly due to unresolved issues related to the public rights aspect of the case.