Malayali Abdul Rahim set to be freed after Saudi court revokes death sentence

KOZHIKODE: Abdul Rahim, a Kozhikode native serving prison in Saudi will be soon freed after the Riyadh criminal court revoked his death penalty on Tuesday. Lakhs of Malayalees were waiting in bated breath for this news after successfully participating in the crowdfunding initiative led by business magnate Boby Chemmanur to help Abdul Rahim get amnesty from the court. The Riyadh governorate had transferred the 15 million Saudi Riyals (Rs 34 crore) collected from Kerala to the royal court; as part of the financial settlement to grant amnesty for Abdul Rahim.Release of Abdul Rahim: 34 crores to be handed over immediately

At the hearing in the Riyadh court on Tuesday, the victim’s family accepted the apology and informed the court about their decision to let Abdul Rahim free. It is also reported that the court will soon issue the order for the release of Abdul Rahim, who served nearly two decades of incarceration in Saudi jail. After the court procedure, the governorate also needs to issue an order confirming the official release of Abdul Rahim from prison.With the end of the procedure from the governorate, Abdul Rahim will be able to heave a sigh of relief and return to his hometown of Farook in Kozhikode to be alongside his grieving mother. A total of Rs 34 crore collected from the crowdfunding initiative was transferred to the Riyadh governorate through the Indian embassy in Saudi.The crowdfunding initiative received wide acclaim from all around the world and was hailed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.