An Arab man, sentenced to death in Ras Al Khaimah for fatally stabbing his friend, has been pardoned by the victim’s family after serving eight years in prison.

The Court of Cassation had commuted his sentence while he was on death row.

The case dates back to 2016. The records at the Ras Al Khaimah Penal and Correctional Facilities showed that the man moved from Abu Dhabi with the help of a friend who secured him a shepherd’s job. The two worked together for a month, and soon, tensions grew between them as the friend reportedly insulted and belittled the Arab man constantly.

One day, the Arab lost his temper and struck his friend with a shovel before forcing pesticide down his throat. The assailant also consumed the pesticide in an attempt to commit suicide, the records showed. An Asian worker at the scene reported the incident to the authorities, who arrived to find the man alive and his friend dead.

During police interrogations, the killer confessed to the crime, saying that he had acted out of revenge. He was charged with premeditated murder and sentenced to death.

After the killer served eight years in prison, the victim’s family dropped the case in exchange for blood money. He was deported after his release.