Saudi killer saved from gallows for Dh64.5 million

A Saudi man agreed to pardon the killer of his son in return for diya (blood money) of 65 million Saudi riyals (Dh64.5 million, US$17.5 million) following mediation by a royal figure.

Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz of Riyadh had mediated the amnesty by Sheikh Qayed bin Manna Al Azmi, whose son Saud was killed during a fight with another student at a school in the central town of Afif several years ago.

Azmi had rejected all mediation efforts by the killer’s relatives and dignitaries to pardon the defendant, who was sentenced to death after the incident.

Newspapers said Azmi told court he had agreed “in principle” to pardon the killer in return for SR65 million in response to Prince’s Turki’s efforts.

Under Islamic Shariah law, a killer can walk free if pardoned by the victim’s relatives in return for diya.

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