In a significant turn of events, Vishnu Dev Radhakrishnan, a Kerala-based engineer, has been released early from a Saudi Arabian jail where he was serving a sentence for alleged blasphemy against Islam. His early release and subsequent deportation to Bharat (India) marks the end of a challenging period that began in 2018. Notably, the fine of 1.5 lakhs SAR (Saudi Riyal) that was levied on Vishnu has also been waived off, providing relief to him and his family.

This development was conveyed to HinduPost by Vishnu’s father, Radhakrishnan Nair, a former Indian Air Force officer. He expressed his gratitude and relief at the news, sharing that Vishnu is expected to return to his home in Alappuzha, Kerala, today. This moment is not just a personal victory for the Radhakrishnan family but also a moment of closure after years of legal and emotional turmoil.

The background of Vishnu Dev's arrest is rooted in an incident that occurred in 2018. Vishnu Dev, while using Twitter, had befriended a Muslim girl who resided in London, United Kingdom. During their online interactions, a contentious exchange unfolded. The girl reportedly made objectionable remarks about Lord Shiva, a revered deity in Hinduism. This comment provoked Vishnu Dev, leading him to respond with tweets against Prophet Muhammad. He also questioned the bombings in Yemen, specifically asking why such actions were taken if Allah was merciful. This query was particularly sensitive given that the bombings were reportedly conducted at the behest of the Saudi regime.

The response of the Saudi government to Vishnu Dev's tweets was swift and severe. Considering the strict blasphemy laws in Saudi Arabia, his comments led to his arrest and subsequent conviction. This case highlights the complexities and risks involved in cross-cultural and inter-religious communications, especially on global platforms like Twitter where diverse viewpoints often intersect.

Vishnu Dev Radhakrishnan's father provided a detailed account of the events leading up to his son's arrest, shedding light on the circumstances that culminated in his incarceration. According to his father, the pivotal point in this saga was the transmission of Vishnu Dev’s tweets through the server of Aramco, a major Saudi Arabian oil company. Vishnu Dev speculated that officials at Aramco might have captured screenshots of his online conversation and handed them over to the police.

About 15 days before his arrest, Vishnu Dev experienced the first sign of trouble when he was interrogated by security officials at Aramco. This interrogation was not a brief affair; it lasted two weeks, during which he was detained at the office. The company officials initially informed him that he would be deported back to India. However, rather than facilitating his departure or allowing him to contact the Indian embassy for assistance, Vishnu Dev was handed over to the police, a move that drastically changed the course of events.

On June 7, 2018, the situation escalated when Vishnu Dev was arrested by the police. The charges against him were severe: 'misusing social media' and hurting the religious and national sentiments of Saudi Arabia, specifically through his remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The gravity of these charges reflects the strict laws in Saudi Arabia regarding blasphemy and the use of social media.

Initially, on September 13 of the same year, Vishnu Dev was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment in Khobar jail, along with a substantial fine of 1,50,000 Riyal (approximately ₹29.12 lakhs). However, this was not the end of his legal challenges. On January 24, 2019, his sentence was increased to 10 years in prison, accompanied by an additional penalty. This escalation in sentencing underscored the seriousness with which the Saudi authorities viewed his actions.

Vishnu Dev's father harbors a belief that the origin of this legal ordeal was not just the tweets themselves but also the involvement of some Kerala Muslims working in Saudi Arabia. He suspects that they harbored resentment against Vishnu and Hindus in general and reported the screenshot of the exchange to the company authorities, thus setting off the chain of events that led to Vishnu Dev’s arrest and conviction.

Vishnu Dev Escaped Beheading Due to His Indian Nationality

In a harrowing account of Vishnu Dev Radhakrishnan's ordeal in Saudi Arabia, a Malayali social organization, Navayugam, revealed how Vishnu Dev narrowly escaped harsher punishments like beheading, a fate mitigated by his Indian nationality. The organization stressed the severity of his situation, noting, “Any posts against their religion is a big crime in Saudi Arabia.” This statement underscores the strict religious laws in Saudi Arabia and the dire consequences of violating them.

Navayugam detailed the legal proceedings that led to the extension of Vishnu Dev's sentence. Initially, he was given a five-year sentence by the lower court. However, the prosecution appealed for a harsher penalty, citing the leniency of the initial sentence. The higher court responded by increasing his sentence to 10 years, reflecting the Saudi legal system's stringent stance on blasphemy and social media misuse.

A member of Navayugam added a crucial point, highlighting the lack of support Vishnu Dev received from his company and the Indian Embassy. “His company did not take any responsibility for his actions. Also, the Indian Embassy ignored his case and did not give him any help,” he said. This lack of support magnified the gravity of Vishnu Dev's situation, leaving him to navigate the legal complexities in a foreign land largely on his own.

According to Saudi law, Vishnu Dev was required to complete his prison term, pay the fine, and then face deportation to India. This legal requirement presents a daunting challenge for anyone in a similar situation, emphasizing the critical importance of understanding and respecting local laws when living or working abroad.

Vishnu Dev’s father, a former Indian Air Force officer, expressed his deep regret and frustration over his inability to secure his son's return to India. Despite reaching out to the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia, the late Sushma Swaraj (former Minister of External Affairs of India), and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, his efforts were in vain. The family's struggle, including Vishnu Dev’s parents and sister, highlights the emotional and logistical challenges faced by families when a loved one is imprisoned abroad. They tirelessly sought help and support, but their pleas were met with disappointment, particularly from the Indian Embassy and Consulate officials.

Vishnu Dev Radhakrishnan's father, Shri Radhakrishnan, shared a disheartening account of the lack of assistance they received from official channels. He recalled a particularly discouraging interaction with a consular officer. “They were of no help…one consular officer was acting funny. When I asked for help in at least waiving the fine, he told me to use my pension to pay the penalty and not to beg the Saudi government,” Shri Radhakrishna recounted. This response not only lacked empathy but also underscored the feeling of helplessness faced by the family in their efforts to mitigate Vishnu Dev's plight.

Despite reaching out to prominent figures like V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs of India, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, their appeals for assistance were met with silence, leaving them without support in their time of need.

The turning point in Vishnu Dev's case came through an unexpected channel: social media. After Shri Radhakrishnan shared his son's story on Twitter, a Keralite man named Sandeep responded and connected him to a significant figure – Nouf Marwaai. Nouf, a Saudi citizen, is notable for her role as the founder of the Arab Yoga Foundation in Saudi Arabia and her instrumental contribution to the legalization and official recognition of Yoga in the country. Her efforts were recognized by India, which awarded her the fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 2018.

Nouf Marwaai's involvement in Vishnu Dev's case marked a pivotal change. She appointed an advocate for Vishnu and actively appealed to the Saudi authorities for his early release. It was her persistent and dedicated efforts that eventually led to a positive outcome. Vishnu Dev's father credits Nouf for the success in securing his son's early release and the waiving off of the penalty imposed on him.

Vishnu Dev Radhakrishnan

Shri Radhakrishnan, in his continued recounting of the efforts to secure his son's release, revealed the complexities and discouragements they faced, particularly from within their own community. He shared that many Malayali social activists had advised him against raising the issue, warning that it might lead to Saudi Arabia increasing Vishnu Dev's punishment. This advice, steeped in fear and caution, reflects the apprehension surrounding the Saudi legal system and its perceived strictness in blasphemy cases.

However, Nouf Marwaai, the Saudi citizen who played a pivotal role in Vishnu’s eventual release, believed otherwise. She indicated that had the appeal been submitted earlier, Vishnu Dev might have been pardoned sooner. Her perspective suggests that timely and proactive legal action could have altered the course of the case, offering a contrasting view to the cautious approach advised by the local activists.

Shri Radhakrishnan also pointed out the questionable behavior of two Kerala activists, one affiliated with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the other with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM]. He accused them of soliciting large sums of money under the guise of hiring an advocate for Vishnu, without actually contributing to the cause. “They were not doing anything to help me,” Shri Radhakrishnan lamented. This allegation suggests exploitation and opportunism under the guise of assistance, adding another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation.

https://persecution.exmuslims.org

In a report from 2021, OpIndia highlighted yet another disturbing aspect of Vishnu Dev’s imprisonment. According to the report, some Malayali Muslims had pressured Vishnu to convert to Islam, suggesting that it could lead to a reduction in his sentence. However, Vishnu Dev firmly rejected this proposition, choosing to stand by his beliefs even in the face of adversity. This refusal to convert, despite the potential for a lighter sentence, speaks to Vishnu Dev's personal integrity and his steadfastness in his convictions.

When questioned about how Vishnu Dev was treated during his imprisonment, his father provided a reassuring response. “Vishnu did not face any issues in jail, and the jail governor told our advocate that he was a very well-behaved fellow.” 

Shri Radhakrishnan also shared some advice for Hindus considering employment opportunities in the Middle East, a region with a different set of cultural and legal norms compared to India. He cautioned, “Hindus working there should be careful, and not expect anything. If anyone is going to trap you in such cases, it will likely be an Indian (Islamist).” 

The conversation also touched upon a similar case involving another Indian, Harish Bangera from Karnataka. Like Vishnu, Harish was imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on 'blasphemy' charges. In his case, two Muslim brothers from Moodabidri, Abdul Huyez and Abdul Thuyez, were reported to have created a fake Facebook account in Harish's name. They then posted derogatory comments against the Saudi crown prince and Mecca, leading to Harish's arrest and imprisonment. This incident further illustrates the risks Indians face in the Middle East due to actions that may be construed as offensive or blasphemous.

Shri Radhakrishnan concluded the conversation on a hopeful note, expressing the family’s happiness and anticipation for Vishnu’s return. “We are all very happy and just waiting for Vishnu to arrive home. He is 33 years, and has his life ahead of him,” he said.