Indian man faces death penalty in Saudi Arabia on drug charges
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A man from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia on drug trafficking charges, leaving his family devastated and pleading for clemency.
The Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada confirmed receiving a letter about the case from the Indian consulate in Saudi Arabia via the district administration.
Zaid Junaid, a 35-year-old resident of Rachauti village under the Mundali police station jurisdiction, was sentenced to death by a court in Mecca after being accused of smuggling 700 grams of narcotics. He has been imprisoned in Jeddah Central Jail since January 15, 2023.
Junaid moved to Saudi Arabia in 2018 to work as a driver. Initially employed by a firm, he later joined Al-Zafar Company. According to his family, his troubles began when his company vehicle was stolen and later recovered by Saudi police. After the vehicle was damaged in an accident, his employer sued him to recover costs. Struggling with financial difficulties, Junaid left the company and began working as a personal driver for a Saudi police officer.
Three months into his new job, Junaid was allegedly implicated in a drug trafficking case when police claimed to have found narcotics in the vehicle he was driving.
Zaid’s family, including his father Zubair, a farmer, and his mother Rehana, is inconsolable. His elder brother, Suhail, stated that their father has submitted a request to the Indian government to file a mercy plea with Saudi authorities. “We believe my brother is innocent and has been framed. He was merely doing his job as a driver. We hope the Indian government intervenes to save his life,” Suhail said.
A notice has also been pasted at the entrance of their home to inform the family of the legal developments. Zaid’s elder brother Naeem Khan Faisal, who also works as a driver in Saudi Arabia, is actively coordinating efforts to secure his release.
The Indian consulate has informed the family about the option of filing a mercy petition. Zaid’s relatives are appealing to the Indian government to expedite its intervention and save his life.
Zubair, his father, said, “We’ve never faced such a situation before. All we want is for Zaid to return home alive.”
