JEDDAH, 15 October 2005 — The father of a murdered 14-year-old boy has pardoned the 14-year-old killer embracing the spirit of Ramadan and seeking the blessings of God. Walid Al-Azmi, 14, was killed a year ago in Dhalam during an altercation with fellow intermediate school student, Abdullah Muhammad Al-Oraifi, also 14. The father of the slain boy, Awad Al-Azmi, said he took the decision following pleas from officials and because of faith.
“I pardoned the killer of my son seeking the reward of God and in response to mediation efforts of Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Fahd as well as tribal leaders,” Azmi said.
Obaid Al-Osaimi, an educational guide at the intermediate school where the boys studied, said both were good, well-mannered students. Al-Oraifi has been staying at a Taif correction center since his arrest.
In another display of forgiveness, an 18-year-old will avoid execution after negotiations. Shepherd Bassim, 18, killed a colleague with a knife following a minor dispute in Hafr Al-Batin. As a result of mediation efforts, the family of the murdered agreed to pardon Bassim and accept SR180,000 in blood money.
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old boy, who has been sentenced to death for killing a youth, has requested the family of the killed to pardon him in this holy month. The convicted youth has been contemplating his fate since the court issued the verdict a few days ago.
