HYDERABAD: A Medak native, who was working as a manager in a company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was arrested last month after he ordered some medicines online and was about to take delivery of the parcel.
His family members in Digwal village of Kohir mandal in Medak said they were not sure under what circumstances Abdul was apprehended and sought to know from the Saudi authorities if the medicines that he ordered were banned in that country.
The kingdom had in 2004 banned the import and sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra from which ephedrine is derived and is widely used in weight loss medicines.
There is, however, no clarity on whether this is the reason for the arrest.
Since it's been close to a month after Mohammed Abdul was arrested on April 18, the worried family wrote a letter to external affairs minister S Jaishankar on May 11 to get him released from prison.
A relative, Mohammed Ashraf Ali, urged the Centre to provide Abdul with legal assistance and ensure his immediate release.
Ashraf Ali said Abdul had ordered some medicines for weight loss from a US-based online site.
"Just when he was about to take delivery of the parcel on April 18, the Saudi police arrested him," he said.
Abdul has been working in the Saudi capital for the last three years. His wife and children are with him in Riyadh, Ashraf Ali said.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.