Abdul Rahim Mojid, a native of Farookh Kodambuzha in Kozhikode, returned to his homeland on Thursday morning after spending 20 years in a Saudi prison. He landed at Karipur International Airport at 7:35 AM on an Air India Express flight from Riyadh, which departed at 11:55 PM Saudi time on Wednesday. His release marks the end of a long legal battle and a heartfelt homecoming for his family and supporters.

Rahim was arrested on December 26, 2006, just a month after arriving in Saudi Arabia on a house driver visa. He was convicted in the death of 15-year-old Anas al-Faisal, the disabled son of his employer Faisal Abdullah Abdul Rahman al-Shafri. The incident occurred when Rahim accidentally dislodged a life-support tube while transporting the boy in a car, leading to his death by suffocation. Despite Rahim’s claims of an unintentional mistake, Saudi law classified it as murder.

After years of legal efforts, Rahim was released following the payment of blood money, reportedly around 34.35 million rupees, which was raised with the help of well-wishers. Notably, Bobby Chemmannur, a prominent figure, played a key role in mobilizing the funds within three days. Rahim expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported him, including his power of attorney Siddique Thuvara, who accompanied him on the journey home.

His elderly mother, Fathima, who had been praying to see her son before she died, was overjoyed at his return. A large crowd of relatives and locals gathered at the family home in Kodambuzha to welcome him. The Saudi prison authorities themselves escorted Rahim to the airport and completed all emigration formalities before his departure.