Daijiworld Media Network-Jeddah
Jeddah, May 8: With the repeated follow up by India Fraternity Forum, a social organization among NRI in Saudi Arabia, 3 out of 4 Mangalureans who were in Jeddah Jail under STC illegal Call Routing (Hundi Calls) case have been freed last week from Jeddah Jail.
After paying negotiated fine amount to STC, honourable judge Saad Al Garni who is chairing the probe into this case has ordered the release of these 3 prisoners. Saudi officials confirmed that accused Riyaz Bajpe and Fairoos Ullal have been deported on May 7 from Jeddah airport and another accused Nasir Bunder is waiting for his turn at the deportation center.
As per the complaint registered by STC Telecom Company in March 2003, 8 Mangalureans had been implicated for allegedly passing and routing of illegal telephone calls and were charged with 6.7 million Saudi Riyals fine. The family members also disclosed that these unfortunate young men were made scapegoats for another's wrongdoings as they are unable to communicate in Arabic or English.
India Fraternity Forum, had formed an ad-hoc committee in 2010 for the follow up of the case. Since then IFF has been constantly in touch with Indian Consulate Jeddah and had approached many Indian businessmen and other NRIs donors to support to raise the release fund to pay the fine imposed on these prisoners. IFF and Altaf Ullal jointly took the responsibility to raise the required fund from the generous donors from Indian community. They have been successful in approaching and convincing the donors to provide the financial support for these 3 young men.
IFF had appointed lawyer Hamid Jameel to represent the accused in court. IFF Regional President Shamsuddin congratulated Lawyer Hamid Jameel for the successful effort in freeing these Indians, also he appreciated extended support from Indian consulate, IFF volunteers for their hard work and the generous NRI donors in the community. Meantime the lawyer confirmed that the last accused Mohammed Shareef Kannur is also expecting to be out from the jail soon.
India Fraternity Forum has been actively involved in the area of socio-cultural, sports, and welfare activities in the KSA for over a decade. IFF’s major area of work is including not limited to Hajj volunteer service, sports meets, health campaigns in association with Saudi ministry, helping fellow Indians to overcome hardship at work, labour issues, jail cases etc.
History of STC call routing case
June 1, 2003: Saudi Police arrested 8 Mangalureans from their accommodation.
2004: Court Judgment to pay penalty amount of 5.6 Million Saudi Riylas
2004 to 2010: Family members of these accused continued their effort to release through Indian Ministers and Diplomats.
2010: India Fraternity Forum set up an ad hoc committee and started following up the case with the help of Indian Consulate Jeddah. All document collected and Appointed Lawyer Hamid Jamil to follow up at Saudi Court.
2011: STC rejected the appeal for pardon to release.
2012: Documents submitted to Saudi Telecom Company for fine amount negotiation. Since the huge amount is levied, It took long time convince all the Board members to reduce the fine amount.
2013: STC agreed to reduce the fine amount and confirmation sent to the Court. Court called accused for the trial after 10years.
April 8, 2014 : First accused Ayyub Kannur was released and sent home
2015 : 3 more accused released and sent home
2016 : Issued order to release the 3 more accused. The last accused Mohammed Shareef Kannur to be released soon.
(With inputs from India Fraternity Forum)