09-07-2025
Saudi court rejects prosecution's appeal to enhance Rahim's sentence
Kozhikode: Upholding the 20-year prison sentence awarded by a lower court in May, a Saudi appellate court on Wednesday rejected the public prosecution's plea to enhance the sentence of Feroke native Abdul Rahim.
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The decision is expected to pave the way for the release of Rahim, who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for the past 19 years in connection with the death of his sponsor's son, within a year.
Rahim was arrested and sentenced to death after the Saudi national died when Rahim's hand accidentally dislodged his life support device. In July 2024, the death sentence was revoked after the victim's family granted a pardon upon receiving blood money of Rs 34 crore, raised through crowdfunding.
The appellate court denied the defence lawyer's request for Rahim's release on the grounds that he has already served 19 years. However, it stated that the defence may approach a higher court if necessary.
Rahim's brother Nazeer said the verdict was a relief for the family. "Now we can look forward to his release. As per the Islamic calendar, the 20-year prison term will be completed in May 2026. Whether to move the higher court seeking an earlier release will be decided by the Rahim Legal Support Committee," he said. Rahim's lawyer, Indian embassy representative Savad Yousuf and family representative Siddique Thuvvur were present during the online court proceedings.
