KOZHIKODE: The Malayalees from all over the world had come together to raise fund for the release of Abdul Rahim (42) serving death sentence in a jail in Saudi Arabia. Rs 34 crore was crowdfunded to pardon Rahim by paying blood money to the family of a Saudi boy he was accused of killing in 2006. His death penalty was quashed by the Riyadh Criminal Court the other day. Rahim was sentenced to death in 2006 in the case of death of his sponsor's disabled son.

The family of the late Anas Al Shahri informed the court that Rahim would be freed by accepting a blood money of 1.5 crore riyals (Rs 34 crores). The court, after examining the consent form of the family, ordered quashing the death sentence. Rahim will be released soon and sent home.

The Malayalees came together to raise fund during Ramzan and collected the amount of Rs 34 crore. The trust formed for it received an amount of more than Rs 47 crore in their account. The amount for the blood money was handed over to the external affairs ministry. From there the cheque of Rs 1.5 crore riyal was handed over to Saudi Court. More than Rs one crore was spent as advocate’s fees and other expenses.

Embassy officials and lawyers from both sides appeared in the court. The court spoke to Rahim via online. The cheque was handed over to the attorney of Shahri's family. The court will hand over the family's consent to pardon Rahim to the Riyadh governorate.

Charity work again
There is a balance of about Rs 13 crore in the trust’s account. This amount will be used for charity work once Rahim reaches his hometown, trust officials told Kerala Kaumudi.