Abdul Rahim, who was facing death sentence in Saudi Arabia, has returned to his home after spending 20 years in a foreign jail. Rahim, who returned home on the day of Bakrid, was given a warm welcome at his home. The long troubled family finally heaved a sigh of relief. However, his path back home was not easy. The price of his release from Saudi jail was Rs 34 crore (15 million Saudi Riyals), and it was only after it was paid in the form of ‘blood money’ that he could return to his country.
Abdul Rahim, a resident of Kozhikode, Kerala, who was facing death sentence in Saudi Arabia, was released after paying ‘blood money’ (compensation in exchange for blood) of Rs 34 crore raised through crowd funding. After landing at Karipur airport, Rahim’s relatives brought him outside. Seeing Rahim back safely on his land, he started crying in joy.
Rahim had gone to Saudi Arabia in 2006
Businessman Bobby Chemmanur, who was present to welcome him at the airport, hugged him, and Rahim celebrated by waving to the people and media gathered there and giving them a ‘thumbs-up’ gesture. Speaking to reporters, Rahim said, “I am grateful to everyone who helped me.” After this he left by car to meet his mother. His mother was waiting for his safe return for the last two decades. Rahim went to Saudi Arabia in 2006 for a job.
Rahim’s mother was waiting at his house, while his friends and local residents had also gathered in large numbers to welcome him. The local people and Rahim’s friends were very excited to see him again, as his return coincided with Bakrid. He said, “This has doubled our happiness.”
Rahim became emotional during the meeting
On reaching home, as soon as Rahim saw his mother standing at the door, he hugged her. During this, the crowd gathered there started shouting happily. After this, Rahim once again waved towards the crowd, tears of joy were flowing from his eyes, and he could not talk to the journalists for some time. Then he kissed his mother again and hugged her tightly. Both of them cried with joy.
Rahim said, “I am very grateful to all the people who helped me and gave me the chance to see my mother again.” After this he also hugged his relatives and friends.
Rahim had reached Saudi in 2006 with the aim of earning money. But shortly after arriving there, he was allegedly accused of murdering a Saudi boy. Because of this he had to spend almost two decades in the jail of the Gulf country.
Rs 34 crores in 4 days
But the people of Kerala saved Rahim from being hanged. To save it, people united and launched a campaign to raise a huge amount of Rs 34 crore in just 4 days before the deadline of April 18, 2024.
Rahim, a resident of Kozhikode, had the only chance to survive was to pay ‘blood money’ of 15 million Saudi Riyals, which is equivalent to about Rs 34 crore. Rahim was sent to jail in 2006 for allegedly causing the accidental death of a disabled boy living under his care. After 12 years, in 2018, he was sentenced to death, because the Saudi boy’s family refused to grant him pardon.
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