Indian Family Pleads for Mercy as Son Faces Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia
Meerut: A family in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district is devastated after learning that their son, Zaid Junaid, has been sentenced to death by a Saudi Arabian court on charges of drug trafficking. They are now pleading with the Indian government to intervene and save his life.
The 35-year-old, a resident of Rachauti village in the Mundali area, had moved to Saudi Arabia in 2018 to work as a driver. His family insists that he has been falsely implicated in the case.
According to Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada, the Indian consulate in Saudi Arabia, via the district administration, has sent a letter informing the family about Zaid’s sentencing and the option to file a mercy plea. A notice has also been pasted at their home to ensure they are aware of the situation.
Zaid’s father, Zubair, a farmer, and his mother, Rehana, are heartbroken. “We’ve never faced such trouble before. All we want is for Zaid to return alive,” Zubair said through tears.
The family shared that Zaid’s troubles began when his vehicle, while employed as a company driver, was stolen and later recovered in a damaged state. Unable to bear the costs imposed by his employer, he left the company and found work as a personal driver for a Saudi police officer.
However, three months into the new job, Saudi authorities claimed they found 700 grams of narcotics in the vehicle he was driving. Zaid was arrested on January 15, 2023, and has been in Jeddah Central Jail ever since.
“My brother is innocent. He was just doing his job as a driver. We are begging the Indian government to help save his life,” Zaid’s elder brother Suhail pleaded.
The family has already submitted an application for clemency with the Saudi authorities through the Indian government. Zaid’s elder brother Naeem Khan Faisal, who also works in Saudi Arabia, is in constant contact with the family to coordinate efforts for his release.
The family clings to hope that the Indian government’s intervention will bring Zaid back home safely.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
