8 Indians Face Death Penalty in Saudi After Drug Smuggling Trap
Eight Indian nationals, including a man from Kerala, face the death penalty in Saudi Arabia after being tricked into smuggling drugs.
Eight Indian nationals, including a 40-year-old resident of Kerala, are facing the possibility of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia after being allegedly tricked into smuggling drugs into the kingdom.
The group, which includes seven men from West Bengal, is currently detained in a Jeddah prison. The Saudi Public Prosecution has sought the death penalty for the individuals under the kingdom's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Law.
A Deceptive Promise of Jobs and Umrah
The victims were reportedly lured by intermediaries identified as Ali from Malappuram and Ashiq from Thrissur. These recruiters allegedly promised the men high-paying roles as supervisors or masons for a three-month period, alongside the opportunity to perform a free Umrah pilgrimage.
Believing these promises, the group departed via Coimbatore airport in August 2026. They were entrusted with bags that they believed contained sweets, food, and medicine intended for children in Palestine and Sudan.
The Discovery at Jeddah Airport
The situation turned critical upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Saudi authorities inspected the luggage and discovered large quantities of pregabalin, a controlled substance.
The detainees include:
- Umar Sharif: A 40-year-old from Kochannur in Kerala's Thrissur district, who was found in possession of approximately 14 kilograms of the substance.
- West Bengal Group: Seven individuals identified as S.K. Kamal, Kafizul Sheikh, Abraham Sheikh, Saudhin Sheikh, Nasimuddin, and Ajigul Gazi.
Legal Struggles and Delays
The men have been held in Jeddah jail for nearly two months. Legal proceedings in the Fourth Joint Judicial Court have faced significant hurdles, primarily due to the lack of a Bengali-speaking interpreter to assist the West Bengal nationals during the process.
Beyond the threat of the death penalty, some of the individuals have already been issued fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of riyals.
Families Plead for Intervention
As the legal battle unfolds, the families of the detained men are desperately seeking government assistance. Hajara, the wife of Umar Sharif, has submitted an appeal to the Kerala Home Minister to seek help.
While associates of the group have circulated video evidence regarding the handover of the bags to support the claim that they were deceived, the legal situation remains grave. Families are now calling for urgent intervention from the Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah to assist the men in custody.