Keralites raise money to release state native facing death penalty in Saudi Arabia: Report

People in the Indian state of Kerala (living in the state as well has overseas) have rallied together to raise money to save a state native sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, a report by the news agency PTI on Friday (Apr 12) said. Abdul Rahim was jailed in Saudi Arabia in 2006 for allegedly killing a specially-abled boy he was taking care of.

Rahim was sentenced to death in 2018 after the boy's family refused to grant amnesty.

The PTI report said that an action committee was formed to release Rahim. Until five days ago, the committee could raise only a meagre amount but as the campaign intensified, help poured in from Keralitesacross the world.

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The committee said that the appeals were rejected by the top courts but later the family agreed to pardon Rahim if he paid the "blood money."

Till now, $4.06 million (Rs 34 crore) has been raised for the man's release. Speaking to reporters, a committee organiser said, "More than 75 organisations in Riyadh, Kerala-based businessman Bobby Chemmannur, various political organisations in the state, and the common people all helped us to raise the money."

The action committee had created a mobile application to ensure transparency in the matter.

Chemmanur organised multiple events in the past few days to raise money. He also organised the sale of one of his products and donated the whole amount to the cause, the report added.

Rahim's mother, meanwhile, said that she never thought such an amount could be raised. "I had no hope as we have no means to raise Rs 34 crore. But somehow it was all made possible," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)