Abdul Rahim jailed in Saudi Arabia for 19 years to be freed next year

RIYADH: Abdul Rahim of Kodampuzha near Feroke in Kozhikode, jailed in Saudi Arabia for 19 years will be freed next year. The court has sentenced Rahim to 20 years in prison. The case was settled in the sitting held at the Riyadh Criminal Court at 9.30 am (Saudi time) this morning. The sentence has been imposed for 20 years in prison as per public rights. He has only a year left to serve in the jail. The case will complete 20 years in December 2026. Accordingly, Rahim, who is in ISKCON Jail in Riyadh, will be released from prison next year.

Rahim, defense lawyers, the Indian Embassy representative and Siddique Thuvvur, the official representative of Rahim's family, attended the online sitting of the case from prison. The previous sitting was held on May 5th. The case was postponed on the grounds that more time was needed to examine the original case diary. Rahim's death sentence was stopped nine months ago after blood money of Rs 1.5 crore riyals (about Rs 34 crore) was paid. However, the sentencing prolonged as the case was not settled under public rights.

Abdul Rahim went to Saudi Arabia in Nov 2006 as a driver in the house of Abdulla Abdurahman Al Shahri, and was tasked with taking care of his disabled son Anas Al Shahri. Rahim accidentally hit the tube attached to the boy's throat while trying to pacify him. Anas became unconscious and later died. A court in Riyadh found Rahim guilty of murder and sentenced him to death.