Relatives of death row inmate Awad Al-Harbi weep after they failed to gain a pardon from the family of Faraj Al-Subaie. — Okaz photosTAIF – Awad Al-Harbi, a Saudi citizen from the southern Al-Khurmah region, has been on death row in Taif General Prison for the past 18 years. During his nearly two-decade long incarceration, Al-Harbi has hoped that the son of Faraj Al-Subaie, the man he murdered, would pardon him when he reaches maturity at the age of 18. His hopes were raised when tribal chiefs and other prominent citizens from his region decided to mediate in the case and plead with the mother, wife and son of Al-Subaie to accept Diyyah (blood money) and pardon him. The son, who turned 18 a few days ago, rejected the mediation effort and refused to accept the Diyyah Al-Harbi's family had offered. Al-Harbi may now have to face his fate: Execution by sword. Al-Harbi has been on death row ever since he was found guilty in the 1994 murder of Al-Subaie. The two were friends who became involved in a heated argument and in a fit of rage, Al-Harbi shot his friend, point-blank, in the head. More than 2,000 tribal chiefs and citizens from Al-Khurmah and other areas in the Taif area attempted to mediate on Al-Harbi's behalf but Al-Subai'e son, who was only a few months old when his father was murdered, was adamant in his rejection and said his Al-Harbi should pay for his crime. The delegation of tribal chiefs and citizens went to the victim's home where they were received by Sheikh Mashari bin Nasser Al-Subaie, the chief of Al-Quraishat tribe and other prominent citizens from Al-Khurmah region. Sheikh Al-Subaie welcomed the delegation, thanking them for their good intentions and urged the family of the victim to pardon the killer. He recited Qur'anic verses and read Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) that emphasized the importance of pardoning in Islam. A number of tribal chiefs also spoke and asked the family to pardon Al-Harbi and accept the blood money. Al-Harbi got married in prison about three years ago to the daughter of another prisoner who was also on death row. The wedding took place at Taif prison and his wife recently gave birth to a baby girl who the couple named Amal (Hope). Two years after his marriage, Al-Harbi's father-in-law was executed. Efforts to have Al-Harbi pardoned continue. — SG
