Keralite jailed in Saudi Arabia reunited with family

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 6: Indian national Abdul Lateef Noushad, who escaped the eye-for-an-eye punishment after a royal pardon in Saudi Arabia, today returned home to an emotional reunion with his family.

After three years of imprisonment in Saudi Arabia, Noushad, hailing from Kerala, arrived at the international airport here by a Gulf Air flight at 0720 hrs and was received by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Noushad's wife, family members and a large number of friends.

He was released from the Dammam central jail in Saudi Arabia yesterday.

Noushad, a petroleum outlet employee, hailing from Anchal in Kollam district, was imprisoned after he damaged the eye of a Saudi national during a scuffle over a battery charger in Dammam.

The Sharia Court had ordered gouging out Noushad's right eye or indefinite imprisonment.

He was pardoned by the court following the Indian Government's intervention and released from jail. The Saudi national, who lost his vision, had also pardoned him.

Noushad's wife had petitioned Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, seeking pardon for her husband, when the King visited India in January this year.

Talking to newspersons here, the Chief Minister said the Government would provide all assistance to Noushad if he wanted to go back to the Gulf or to stay back in the State.

Noushad said he was grateful to all the people who had made efforts for his release especially Mr Chandy and Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed.

Later, he left for Anchal, his native place, with his family members and friends.

UNI