Two Indians to be released from Saudi jail after 10 years

• Youngsters suffered for the crime of another IndianA
• They underwent imprisonment and 150 lashes

Mohammed Jameel Ur Rahman Hyderabad: The families of Syed Farhan Abid of Musheerabad in the city and Imtiyaz Basha of Kadapa heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday when a court in Khameesh Mushiyat region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gave the verdict in favor of the Indians.

It is apt to recall here that HMTV made relentless efforts to bring the issue to the notice of Indian Embassy.A Saudi police arrested Syed Farhan Abid and Imtiyaz Basha on charges of theft in 2003. These two were working in a gold shop owned by a Saudi, Salim Bin Sayeed Al Awashish. The Saudi Court has sentenced the Indians to undergo one and half year imprisonment and 150 lashes on the charges of attempting to run away from the country. The court did not take into cognizance the theft angle. Both the Indians have undergone the punishment in 2007. At the same time, the shop owner Salim Bin Sayeed filed another petition asking the two to pay the amount equivalent to the gold stolen by another Indian working in another shop. The two Indians have given gold ornaments to him to show a customer. But that man ran way with the gold ornaments. The shop keeper demanded payment from the families of two men. The worried family members mortgaged property and sent Rs. 18 lakh to the shop owner through Indian officials. However, the shop owner demanded more money. As a result, the two have been languishing in Saudi Arabia jail. Learning the efforts of HMTV, Syed Abid contacted HMTV in 2009. HMTV and The Hans India wrote a series of letters. Finally on May 8 the Judge ruled releasing Syed Abid and Imtiyaz Basha. On the final day also the shop owner demanded money. The Indian Mission has agreed to pay Rs. 3 lakh.