MADINAH — Awadh Al-Harbi, convicted of murder, escaped execution as the demanded blood money of SR27 million was finally paid. Al-Harbi spent 18 years in a Taif prison after he was convicted of murdering another Saudi. The family of the victim demanded SR27 million in blood money to spare his life. After several years' efforts by Al-Harbi's relatives were able to gather only SR18 million. A fund-raising drive in Madinah resulted in the collection of an additional SR9 million, thus completing the required amount. During his incarceration, Awadh had married the daughter of a prison inmate, and was known as the “Prison Groom”. As his daughter “Amal” entered the hall, a number of people present could not control their emotions and started weeping. The pen used by the victim's family to sign the waiver was sold for SR50,000 in an auction.
