Mangaloreans in Saudi jail may be released soon

The two youth from Mangalore who have been imprisoned for last 11 years at Buraiman prison in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia are most likely to be released within two months.

A few neighbourers and organisations have come forward to pay the penalty amount to the Saudi government to help the release of the prisoners.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday, Mangalore Taluk Panchayat member Mohammad Monu said the two youth, Sharif Migdad (29) and Ayyub Hussain (30) from Kannur in Mangalore who had been to Saudi 12 years ago were arrested and put behind the bars pertaining to illegal telephone connection case. However, a delegation consisting of the family members of the arrested, KPCC member M A Gaffoor, Mohammad Monu and local political leader Hameed Kannur visited MP Oscar Fernandes and Foreign Minister for State E Ahmed and convinced them that both were not guilty and requested them to help for the release of the youth. 

Following the visit, the Minister held talks with the Indian Embassy at Jeddah, which took initiative for the release of the arrested. Monu said that the Saudi government has agreed to reduce the penalty amount for the youth by 75 per cent on the occasion of Ramzan. “We have already collected Rs 2,80,000 penalty amount and sent it to Saudi seeking the release of Ayyub, while Rs 28 lakh for the release of Sharif is yet to be collected,” he said.

The families of Ayyub and Sharif are now full of hopes to see the duo returning to India after a gap of 11 years. “My daughter-in-law Ayesha Kubra was 6 months pregnant when Ayyub left to Gulf. Ayyub’s son is 11 year old now, but has not seen his father so far. We have no answer to tell him when asks the whereabouts of his father. Now with the Saudi government agreeing to release Ayyub, I hope to see my son soon,” said Ayyub’s mother Mariyamma.Hamid Kannur, Sharif’ mother Ayeshamma, his sister Nafisa were present.