Aussie stranded in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to return home
Abdullah Balhaddad has been granted permission to return to his family in Murray Bridge after this publication shared his story.
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A Murray Bridge resident who had been stranded in Saudi Arabia for the past three months has been allowed to return home to his family.
Abdullah Balhaddad had been marooned in the Middle Eastern country since May, when a court issued a travel ban against him following a legal dispute.
His initial appeals to both the Saudi and Australian governments were fruitless.
In desperation, he reached out to Murray Bridge News, which published his story in July.
The story was also re-published by Adelaide publication InDaily.
Over the weekend, Mr Balhaddad emailed this publication to let us know that the extra attention had prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs to raise his case with the Saudi government.
“Immediately after the Australian embassy contacted the Saudi government, the Saudi government lifted the travel ban and canceled the remaining court orders,” he said.
“Without your involvement, nobody would know about my case.
“I am grateful for your help.”
Mr Balhaddad had been visiting Saudi Arabia for the purpose of investing in real estate.
His family has lived in Murray Bridge for a number of years, and his son Said was recognised at a civic reception this month after being nominated for the city’s young citizen of the year award in January.
