December 19, 2013: A Saudi sentenced to death for killing another citizen is set to walk free after mediation by a member of the Saudi royal family succeeded in persuading the victim’s relatives to pardon the killer, a Saudi newspaper reported.

Faleh Al Subai was sentenced to death two years ago after he killed Abdul Aziz Al Muneef during a fight in the southern Saudi province of Asir.

The defendant was to be beheaded after the victim’s family refused to pardon him for diya (blood money), according to Sabq newspaper.

It said the victim’s relatives agreed to grant a pardon in court this week in response to mediation by the Prince of Asir Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdul Aziz.

Under Islamic law, which is strictly enforced in Saudi Arabia, a convicted killed can avert execution and walk free if pardoned by the victim’s relatives in return for diya.

Source: emirates24/7, December 19, 2013