Riyadh: Adding to his misery, Abdul Rahim, who has been in a Riyadh prison for the past 18 years following the death of a Saudi citizen, has yet to receive his release order. The case has been adjourned for reconsideration and will be reviewed again in two weeks. This delay comes despite the Riyadh Criminal Court's ruling on July 2 cancelling Rahim’s death sentence after the family of the deceased Saudi child agreed to pardon him upon receiving blood money ('diya'). The extended legal process has delayed Rahim’s release. 

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahim's mother, brother and uncle visited him in prison in Riyadh. 

How it all happened

Abdul Rahim, a native of Feroke in Kerala’s Kozhikode district, travelled to Riyadh on November 28, 2006, at the age of 26 on a house driver visa. He was then employed to care for Anas, the son of his sponsor, Fayiz Abdullah Abdurahman Al-Shahri. Anas, who was paralysed below the neck, depended on a specialised device for food and water.  

On December 24, 2006, the incident that led to the case occurred. While driving Anas in a GMC van from their home in Riyadh’s Shifa area, Rahim accidentally struck the device fitted to Anas's neck. The device, which was used to feed Anas, dislodged, causing loss of consciousness. Continuing their journey, Rahim noticed the boy was unresponsive and found him motionless upon inspection. 

Long legal battle

Following Anas's death, Rahim faced multiple court rulings, with the death penalty being issued three times. Anas's family initially insisted on capital punishment, but later agreed to pardon Rahim in exchange for blood money after mediation efforts. The family demanded SAR 15 million as ‘diya’ for the pardon. 

Fundraising efforts

The Riyadh Legal Aid Committee, which has been assisting Rahim for over 17 years, proposed ‘diya’ payment as a solution for his release. In 2021, a trust committee was formed in India under the guidance of the Riyadh Legal Aid Committee to raise funds. Donations poured in from across the globe, and the campaign gained traction through a specially designed app launched on March 10, 2023.

Once the money was paid, Anas's family informed the Riyadh Criminal Court of their decision to pardon Rahim. Following that the court annulled Rahim's death sentence on July 2. However, procedural delays have prolonged his release. 

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia informed Rahim's family about the diya payment agreement, and the trust committee, with the support of the Riyadh Legal Aid Committee, coordinated fundraising efforts. Despite the legal and financial hurdles being resolved, Rahim’s release now awaits final procedural approvals.