KOZHIKODE: Marking the end of a painful two-decade legal and emotional ordeal, Kozhikode native Abdul Rahim, who was jailed in Saudi Arabia, is set to reach home soon. Rahim’s official jail release order has been signed by authorities in Saudi Arabia, bringing immense relief for his family and well-wishers awaiting his return.
The Abdul Rahim Legal Assistance Committee members in Riyadh and Kozhikode confirmed that all internal release procedures within the Kingdom are nearing completion. Only final immigration clearances and flight ticket procedures remain.
Rahim, a resident of Ramanattukara, was sentenced to death following the accidental death of the 15-year-old paralysed boy. An exemplary global crowdfunding campaign spearheaded by the Malayali diaspora in Saudi Arabia raised 1.5 crore Saudi Riyals (over Rs 34 crore) in blood money to commute his execution. However, he was still required to serve a 20-year jail term under Saudi Arabia’s laws.
The jail term officially ended on May 19, but the final administrative release faced brief delays this week due to key prison officials being away on Haj duty. However, realising the urgency, authorities in the Gulf nation expedited the release process under special protocols.
“All the issues there have been resolved. They completed jail release procedure on Tuesday,” said Naseer, Rahim’s brother.
Grateful for action panel’s support, says Rahim’s brother
“We pray he reaches home for Bakrid. We will be happy if that happens,” Naseer said.
He expressed immense gratitude to the local action committee that stood by them since 2023.
For Rahim’s 76-year-old mother Pathu, who endured 20 years of agonising pain since he left for the Gulf as a 24-year-old driver in 2006, the nightmare is drawing to a close.
Volunteers and Indian Embassy officials are working round the clock to clear final checkpoints.
The family and the local community now eagerly wait for Rahim to board the next available flight and return home as a free man.
