Jeddah: A jail in Saudi Arabia has released three Indians who were in jail for the past 12 years under an illegal call routing case.
Saudi officials confirmed that accused Riyaz Bajpe and Fairoos Ullal were deported on May 7 from Jeddah airport and another accused Nasir Bunder is waiting for his turn at the deportation center.
Their release was the result of relentless efforts of India fraternity Forum (IFF), a social organization of Non Resident Indians of Saudi Arabia.
The three were among four jailed for allegedly passing and routing of illegal telephone calls. They were fined 6.7 Million Saudi Riyals, twocircles.net reported.
Judge Saad Al Garni, who chaired the probe into this case, ordered the release of three after they paid negotiated fine amount to the Saudi Telephone Company.
The STC had in March 2003 complained about the illegal practice and the Saudi police had implicated that eight people from Mangalore, southern India. Their family members however disclosed that young men were made scapegoats for another’s wrongdoings as they were unable to communicate in Arabic or English.
IFF formed an ad-hoc committee in 2010 for the follow up of the case.
The fraternity kept constant touch with the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, besides seeking funds from Indian businessmen and other NRI donors to pay the fine.
IFF had appointed lawyer Hamid Jameel to represent the accused in court. The lawyer also confirmed last accused, Mohammed Shareef Kannur, is also expected to be out from the jail soon.
IFF has been involved in socio-cultural, sports, and welfare activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over a decade.