Having faced the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Rahim, a native of Kerala, returned home to cheering crowds and concerned family on Thursday after spending twenty years in a foreign prison. The exemption from Saudi prison was possible thanks to the payment of a sum $34 Crores (15 million Saudi Riyals) as blood money.
Rahim landed at Karipur airport and was then picked up by his relatives. News agency PTI reported that the former prisoner shed some tears as he finally arrived home after a 20-year wait.
Businessman Bobby Chemmanur embraced him upon his arrival while crowds and media gathered at the airport to welcome him. Rahim was seen indicating a “thumb” impression.
“I am grateful to everyone who helped me,” he told reporters as he got into his car. He then headed to his home, where his mother, friends, and residents of the area gathered in large numbers. His arrival coincided with Bakrid, adding to the splendor and show. Local residents and friends of Rahim told reporters: “It doubles our happiness.”
Rahim was seen hugging his mother on the doorstep as the crowd cheered and gathered around their long-awaited reunion. Tears streamed down Rahim’s face. He felt suffocated for some time, and he kissed and hugged his mother over and over again.
“I am grateful to everyone who helped me and enabled me to see my mother again,” Rahim said, referring to the efforts of the local community in Kerala to fund an amazing amount of money. $34 crores for blood money.
What put Rahim in this situation?
Rahim first went to the Gulf country two decades ago in 2006 to look for a job opportunity. However, he was imprisoned, shortly after his arrival, for allegedly causing the death of a Saudi child with a special disability who he was supposed to care for.
As a result, Rahim was put behind bars and sentenced to death in 2018 when the victim’s family refused to grant him clemency. His only chance of survival was to push $34 crore blood money before the deadline of April 18, 2024.
The people of Kerala collectively raised this huge amount to save Rahim from facing the gallows and hence gave him a warm welcome on his return to his homeland.
