KOZHIKODE: Abdul Rahim, a native of Feroke in Kozhikode, will now serve a full 20-year sentence in Saudi Arabia following a court ruling in connection with the tragic death of a Saudi boy under his care.
The Riyadh Criminal Court announced the verdict on Monday, extending Rahim’s imprisonment by another year and delaying his expected release.
Rahim, who has already completed 18-and-a-half-years in prison, had been hoping for an early release in six months. However, with the latest verdict, his incarceration will now continue until December 2026.
The incident dates back to December 24, 2006. Rahim had arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier that year seeking better employment opportunities and worked as a driver in Riyadh. He was also assigned to care for Faiz, a 15-year-old paralysed boy in his employer’s household.
During a routine car ride, the boy’s breathing support system was accidentally dislodged, leading to his collapse and eventual death.
Though the death was widely regarded as accidental, Rahim was charged with murder under Saudi law and sentenced to death. In fact, the death penalty was issued against him on three separate occasions over the years.
Faiz’s family, who initially insisted on capital punishment, eventually agreed to pardon Rahim after extensive mediation efforts. The agreement included the acceptance of diya (blood money) amounting to 1.5 crore riyals (approximately Rs 34 crore).
Despite the pardon, the case continued under Saudi public law, which led to further delays. However, Monday’s ruling confirmed that Rahim must serve the full sentence, which concludes in December next year.
The case has been classified as highly sensitive within the Kingdom, facing numerous legal hurdles, with a total of 12 postponements prior to the final ruling.
The Riyadh Raheem Support Committee, which has stood by Rahim since his arrest, confirmed the new release timeline and assured that further information regarding his repatriation and final legal procedures will be shared soon.
The hearing on Monday included Rahim, his defence team, a representative of the Indian Embassy, and Siddique Tuvur, a family-appointed representative.
Welcoming the verdict, Siddique said, “Now we have a hope that we will be able to bring back Rahim after completing this term.”