Kerala: The long-awaited release of Abdul Raheem, a Kozhikode native who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for the past 18 years, has been further delayed after a court decision was pushed back once again. Raheem, who was convicted for the 2006 murder of a young Saudi boy, has been awaiting release since his death sentence was overturned in July 2024.

The latest postponement occurred when the court requested additional time to review the details of the case. The hearing has been rescheduled for 15th January, leaving Raheem's family in continued uncertainty. His mother, who has been waiting for her son’s return, was left in tears upon hearing the news. Since the ruling, she has had little communication with her son except for occasional phone calls from the prison.

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"This delay is causing us unimaginable distress. We hope the court finds a way to resolve this quickly," said Fathima, speaking to reporters. "We just want him back home."

Raheem’s legal team has been working tirelessly to ensure that all the documents and evidence are thoroughly reviewed, with both the Legal Aid Committee and various legal experts closely following the case. However, the court has expressed the need for further scrutiny, which has led to the additional delays.

Despite the setback, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has already prepared the necessary travel documents for Raheem's return. Once the court issues its final ruling, which is expected after the January 15th hearing, the decision will be communicated to the prison and the Governor’s office. If the ruling is in Raheem's favour, the paperwork for his repatriation will be completed promptly.

The family’s emotional turmoil has been compounded by the ongoing uncertainty. "We’ve been waiting for years, and each delay makes it harder. But we still hold onto hope that the end is near," added Fathima (Raheem’s mother), as she wiped away tears.

Earlier this year, the court overturned Raheem’s death sentence, but the case has since been delayed multiple times. This marks the fourth such delay, adding to the family's growing frustration.

The murder case that led to Abdul Raheem’s imprisonment remains a sensitive issue in Saudi Arabia, and his lengthy incarceration has drawn considerable attention from both local and international human rights groups. With the case now pushed to January 15th, both the family and their supporters remain hopeful that this long legal battle will finally come to a conclusion. 

The journey of Abdul Raheem from a Saudi prison back to his family in Kerala, India, hinges on the court's decision in the coming weeks. Until then, his family continues to wait in hope and anxiety.