Two Indian expatriates convicted of gold embezzlement from their sponsor and imprisoned since 2003 were deported after the victim agreed to accept a SR300,000 settlement for their release.
Indian expatriates Syed Abid and Gajula Imtiaz Basha were imprisoned following convictions for gold embezzlement in Abha. The sponsor had accused them of gold theft and both men were sentenced by court to one year and four months in prison, along with a fine of SR600,000 to make up for the loss of the sponsor.
The two defendants could not reimburse the amount to the sponsor and remained in prison.
The Indian Consulate took up the matter with the court in order to settle the case and release the Indians.
After rounds of negotiations with the sponsor under the active guidance of the judge, the sponsor finally agreed to accept SR300,000 as a settlement for their release.
Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai was instrumental in getting the case reopened and the consulate managed to collect the amount from members of the Indian community.
The court ordered the deportation of both men to India. They left on a Hyderabad-bound flight late Thursday night.
Repatriation expenses were also met by the consulate. Both of them expressed their happiness and thanked the consul general for letting them join their families on the occasion of the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr.
The Indian Consulate has taken up the cases of Indian nationals who are imprisoned due to the non-fulfillment of private rights. The consul general appealed to the community to contribute in such cases.
“The Indian community residing in Saudi Arabia has always been supportive and we look forward to more contribution from them for causes like this” said Kidwai.
The proceedings from India Festival 2013 also served as part of contribution to the cause.
With the help of all the contributions made by the community, the payment of fines totaling more than SR350,000 have been made resulting in the release and repatriation of four Indians.
Twelve more cases are being processed by the consulate for release and repatriation, an official source said.
Indians jailed since 2003 deported
