Abdul Rahim's release from Riyadh prison likely on 19th May

KOZHIKODE: Abdul Rahim, the Malayali currently serving a 20-year sentence in a Saudi prison in Kozhikode, is expected to be released soon. The Abdul Rahim Legal Aid Committee in Riyadh announced the Kozhikode native may be released after the 19th if all procedures are completed. Rahim's 20-year sentence will end on the 19th. Last May, the Riyadh court sentenced him to 20 years in prison under the Public Rights Act, in a case that had been postponed 13 times. Rahim had to serve the sentence after the current prison term. Accordingly, Rahim, who has spent 19 years in prison, has only a few months left to serve. Rahim was imprisoned in 2006 for the death of his sponsor's disabled son, Anas Al-Shahri.

After years of legal battles, Anas Al-Shahri's family finally informed the court that they would accept a mercy payment of 1.5 crore riyals (Rs. 34 crore) and release Rahim, granting him forgiveness. The Riyadh Criminal Court overturned Rahim's death sentence on June 2, 2024, after the 34 crores collected from all over Kerala were handed to the family of the victim. However, the delay in the release from prison was due to the pending case under Public Rights.