Murder accused in Riyadh released in exchange to blood money

Suadi Arabia: If sources to be believed, an Indian origin businessman paid Rs. 4,90,000 Saudi riyal as blood money to release three persons from Kerala who were jailed in Suadi and were sentenced to death in connection with the murder case of Ashraf, native of Mangaluru.

The released persons are Fazal Iritti (35), Mustafa Khunnat (33) and M. Shakir (36). The trio had murdered Ashraf and were caught red hand by Riyadh police while they were about to throw the dead body into a drainage. The accused were arrested and were kept in Al-Her jail.

The court has ordered death sentence to the accused in May 2008. Family of the accused had met Kerala Chief minister Omman Chandy and through him they spoke to the father of Ashraf. In the beginning 2 million Saudi riyal was demanded but later deceased’s father agreed for a sum of 4,90,000 Saudi riyal.