Abdul Raheem, a Malayali who spent 20 years in a Saudi prison for a death sentence, has been released after a massive fundraising effort raised 48 crore rupees for blood money. He returned to Kerala on March 20, 2025, receiving a warm welcome at the airport.

Raheem, now 44, was 24 when he went to Saudi Arabia as a house driver. The incident occurred when his sponsor’s son, who had a disability from a previous surgery, spat on him after Raheem refused to run a red light. In anger, Raheem raised his hand to block the spit, but the blow accidentally struck the man’s neck, leading to his death.

Throughout his imprisonment, Raheem faced harsh conditions, including shackles during court visits and limited communication. He was nearly executed twice, once reaching the final stage where photos and fingerprints were taken. The blood money was raised by Malayalis worldwide, with help from the Indian embassy and legal committees.

Raheem expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed and prayed for his release. He now plans to rebuild his life with family and friends in Kerala.