Kerala Mother Awaits Return Of Son Freed From Saudi Death Row After 18 Years

The path to Rahim's return was paved by a remarkable fundraising effort amounting to Rs 34 crore, which was paid as blood money per the orders of a Saudi Arabian court.

At elderly Fatima's house in Kozhikode, Kerala, there's an overwhelming sense of joy as her son, Abdul Rahim, who had been on death row in Saudi Arabia, is finally set to return home after receiving a pardon. Fatima has waited anxiously for 18 years and her prayers has now been answered with Rahim's imminent return.

The path to Rahim's return was paved by a remarkable fundraising effort amounting to Rs 34 crore, which was paid as blood money per the orders of a Saudi Arabian court. This payment was crucial as the court had ruled that failure to provide the money would result in Rahim's execution. The funds were delivered in April, and the court accepted them, facilitating the legal process for Rahim's release, as per a report on IANS.

Fatima expressed her elation, eagerly awaiting her son's arrival, saying, "Even though he calls me, it's not enough. I just can't wait to see my son; I hope he comes home soon."

Rahim's nephew also shared in the excitement, mentioning that Rahim's lawyer had been informed by the Saudi Arabian court to be present on Sunday. "The lawyer told us that on Sunday, we will know when Rahim will finally be released. Once released, he will fly back home, and the entire village is eagerly awaiting his return," the nephew said, as per the report.

"With the release order in place, every minute feels like an hour," he added.

Rahim, who worked as an auto driver, had sought better opportunities in the Gulf. In 2006, he moved to Saudi Arabia and worked as a personal driver and caregiver for a physically challenged 15-year-old boy who required a medical device to breathe externally.

Rahim recounted an unfortunate incident when the boy misbehaved while he was driving and as he tried to make him silent he accidentally disconnected the medical device resulting in the boy's death. Saudi Arabia's court convicted Rahim of murder, a verdict upheld by the appeals court in 2022 and subsequently confirmed by the Supreme Court of the country.

Following extensive negotiations with the Saudi family, an agreement was reached for blood money, finally paving the way for Rahim's long-awaited freedom.