Mangaluru: A 66-year-old man from Mangaluru, Karnataka, has been granted an early release from a three-year jail sentence in Saudi Arabia, thanks to the Kingdom’s National Day amnesty program. Ahmed Imran (name changed), a driver in Jeddah, was arrested in September 2023 after an incident with a local boy.
The altercation occurred when Ahmed, while washing his employer’s car, was repeatedly harassed by the boy. Despite having complained about the boy’s behavior to his father, no action was taken. In frustration, Ahmed pushed the boy away, which led to the boy’s father filing a police complaint, resulting in Ahmed’s arrest.
With no financial means to hire a lawyer, Ahmed was unable to appeal the court’s three-year sentence. However, after his family and local leaders from Karnataka reached out for help, Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a pro bono lawyer from Udupi, took up his case. Despite unsuccessful negotiations with the complainant, Dr. Hameed advised submitting a mercy petition to Saudi authorities.
Thanks to persistent follow-ups, Ahmed’s case was included in the National Day amnesty program, leading to his release within a year of his sentence. Upon returning to India, Ahmed expressed gratitude to those who supported him, including his employer, social worker K.S. Nasir Asaigoli, and legal expert Dr. Hameed.
The National Day amnesty is a regular initiative by Saudi Arabia, offering relief to eligible inmates and reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to justice and clemency.
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