SR1.5m saves Saudi convict's leg

A Saudi man sentenced by a local court to have his leg amputated for causing the same to another man during a fight was saved this week, after paying SR1.5 million (Dh1.45 million) blood money to the victim, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The court in the northern Saudi town of Rafha had given Talal bin Khalaf Al Shammri three months to pay ‘diya’ to the victim or he would have his leg cut off under Islamic law which is strictly enforced in the Gulf Kingdom.

“We managed to raise the sum this week, thanks to tribe leaders and benevolent people,” the defendant’s brother, Hadeeb, told Sabq newspaper.

He said the victim, Mohammed Al Mutairi, went to court on Tuesday and told the judge he pardoned Shammari after receiving diya. Sabq said payment of ‘diya’ also means Shammari would be freed soon.

Shammari shot Mutairi in the leg during a scuffle in their town nearly six years ago and doctors decided later to amputate the leg.