Riyadh: The Riyadh court postponed the case regarding the release of Abdul Rahim, a Kozhikode native imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, for the fifth time on Monday. The hearing, originally scheduled for December 12, was delayed due to technical issues. Monday’s session had been expected to conclude proceedings, with copies of the verdict dispatched to the governorate and the prison. Rahim's mother Fathima expressed her disappointment with the inordinate delay in procedures.

If the verdict had been favourable, the Passport Division of the Ministry of Interior could have completed the final exit procedures. The embassy has already prepared the necessary documents for Rahim’s return.

Although Rahim’s death sentence was commuted on July 2, his release remains delayed as the case concerning the public offence is still unresolved. Any release order must be approved by a higher court and the governorate before Rahim can be freed.

Abdul Rahim, an auto driver from Feroke, Kozhikode, went to Saudi Arabia in 2006 seeking better job opportunities. He worked as a driver in Riyadh and also cared for a differently-abled boy in his employer’s family. During a car ride, a breathing aid used by the boy accidentally dislodged, leading to his loss of consciousness and subsequent death.

Although the incident was deemed accidental, Rahim was charged with murder under Saudi law and sentenced to death. The court later revised the verdict after the boy’s family agreed to accept blood money.