Kozhikode, 28 May (H.S.): Abdul Rahim, who was freed from death row in Saudi Arabia after spending nearly two decades in prison, returned to Kerala on Thursday morning to an emotional welcome from family, friends, and well-wishers at the Karipur International Airport in Kozhikode.

The flight carrying Rahim landed at around 7.35 a.m., and after completing immigration and other formalities, he walked out of the airport around 8.20 a.m. Visibly emotional and struggling to hold back tears, Rahim briefly responded to the media, saying, “Thank you everyone,” before leaving with his relatives.

Businessman Boby Chemmanur, Rahim’s brother, close friends, and members of the Action Council that campaigned for his release were among those waiting outside the airport. Boby Chemmanur embraced Rahim on his arrival and later told reporters that he would consider offering him a job in his jewellery business if Rahim wished to start a new life in Kerala.

On his way home, Rahim stopped to visit Yusuf, an embassy official who had played a key role in the efforts to secure his release from Saudi custody. Rahim hugged Yusuf and personally thanked him for his support during the prolonged legal battle. Speaking to the media, Yusuf said he always believed Rahim would eventually regain his freedom, no matter how long the process took.

Rahim had travelled to Saudi Arabia at the age of 24 in search of employment. He was assigned the responsibility of caring for the seriously ill son of a Saudi family. However, tragedy struck on December 26, 2006, when the differently-abled child died in an incident that authorities later linked to Rahim.

Although it was argued that the death was accidental and not intentional, Rahim was arrested and charged with murder. A Riyadh court eventually sentenced him to death. His case drew widespread attention in Kerala over the years, with social activists and community organisations campaigning for his release.

The death sentence was later overturned after blood money was paid to the victim’s family. Following the completion of his prison term related to conspiracy charges in the case, Rahim was finally allowed to return home, ending a painful chapter that lasted nearly 20 years.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman