Mediation to save neck of murderer fails

The attempts of more than 2,000 people including tribal chiefs and dignitaries from Al-Khurmah and other areas in Taif to save a murderer who has been on death row for 18 years have failed, local newspapers reported yesterday.
The son of the murdered man Faraj Al-Sibaie has refused to accept the diyyah (blood money) offered to save Awad Al-Harbi from beheading.
Al-Harbi shot his friend Al-Subaie in the head after they had a heated argument. He was convicted and then imprisoned at Taif general prison awaiting execution.
The son was only a few months old when his father was murdered. The execution had to be delayed until he turned 18 (which happened a few months ago) when he could decide whether to pardon Al-Harbi or not.
A delegation of tribal chiefs and dignitaries went to the victim’s family home where they were received by Sheikh Mashari bin Nasser Al-Subaie, chief of Al-Quraishat tribe, and other dignitaries from the Al-Khurmah region.
Sheikh Al-Subaie welcomed the delegation, thanking them and urged Al-Subaie’s family to pardon Al-Harbi.
He recited Qur’anic verses and the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) teachings demonstrating the importance of pardoning in Islam.
A number of tribal chiefs also asked the family to pardon the killer and accept the blood money.
The son refused and insisted Al-Harbi should pay for his crime.