Riyadh: Three Mangaloreans Languish in Saudi Jail, Plead for Help

P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh

Riyadh, Sep 7: Sometimes innocents get legally trapped for crimes committed by others, while the real culprits manage to escape. That was what happened to Fairoz Abdul Rahiman Ullal and two other Mangaloreans, who have been in Biraman jail situated around 30 km from Jeddah, for more than seven years.

It is said that they have been made scapegoats for others' wrongdoings, who fled the scene without being caught, while the three Mangaloreans were sentenced by the local court with both imprisonment and heavy fines. They couldn’t afford to pay the fines because of their inability and incapacity owing to their poor earnings.

Nasir, Fairoz and Rafiq

Two days back, Fairoz called Daijiworld reporter from the jail to explain his condition and incarceration and that of two others, Rafiq Bajpe and Muhammad Nasir, Bunder, Mangalore, who have been in the prison for seven and an half years. Fairoz and Rafiq are in the same cell, while Nasir is in another cell of the jail. 

He said, "We are totally caged in the prison without any access to the outer world. More than seven years ago, when we were in our shared flat in Jeddah, at night after finishing our jobs, the police rushed to our accommodation and arrested us on charges of running an illicit network of telephone lines and filed a case against, which was brought to the local court for trial. The court ruled against us as we were not able to defend ourselves adequately because of language (Arabic) problem and non-availability of defence lawyers, who we could not afford to hire. Besides, we were heavily fined with 3 million Saudi Riyals (Rs 3 crores) which we were told to pay to the Saudi Telecom Department (STC), which is the complainant/plaintiff in the case. Since then, we are fading away in the borstal without our grievances being heard by anyone."

He continued, "We still reiterate that we are really innocent and were caught for a crime committed by others. Now we have no option left except to approach the media." He sincerely urged Daijiworld to get their cases highlighted so that they can at least hope to be set free from the detention through generous support of social organizations and other philanthropists in and outside the Kingdom. He expressed desperately that he cannot even imagine the huge amount they have been told to pay as damages to the STC. 

It has been informed to Daijiworld that initially they were very optimistic that they would be released soon once the real offenders (who were said to be Burmese) were nabbed in the case; however, the hope started waning when the police took them into custody for a further grilling, which took more than a month. And also, they were required to make a wet signature on a paper that was written in Arabic. A cousin of Fairoz from Jubail, who did not want his name to be revealed, also contacted Daijiworld and briefed about his case.

It is said that Fairoz came to Saudi Arabia for the first time ten years ago for employment purpose. He worked hard for a cosmetic line (Kamaliyath) in Jeddah for three years without going back home. The other two were also in a similar condition. His poor family back home depended on him for their living. Though not regularly, he would send his hard-earned money to his family and repay their loans. Unfortunately, destiny turned its back on him and others, putting them and their families in hardships and difficulty, both mentally and financially. The families of the three have been hoping for their release since long, but in vain. They made appeals several to political leaders, ministers including the Indian Prime Minister, and S M Krishna, minister for foreign affairs and others for setting them free from the Saudi jail.

"Our families tried their best to get us freed from the jail through various sources and channels back home. We also appealed in the higher court in Jeddah, but it was no use. We were brought before the judge in the lower court for around 21 case trials, however, we saw him only twice. If we negotiate with the Telecom agencies for maximum reduction of the fines, then we think they may decrease the amount. We have lost all hopes of fruitful results, and are compelled to contact the media for help," Fairoz said.

The detainees and their families have kindly all the social organizations, good-hearted persons including the Indian Embassy/Consul General Office in Jeddah to come to their help on humanitarian grounds so as to secure their release.