ILAM: A Nepali youth, who has been behind the bars in Saudi Arabia for the past 11 months, has pleaded the Nepal government to take necessary initiative to free him stating that he was 'innocent'.

Prem Bahadur Rai (29) from Danabari of Mai Municipality in Ilam district would work as a lorry driver for Ul-Sahalabi Company in Saudi Arabia.

Quoting his brother, Chakra Bahadur Rai of Danabari said the cable-laden lorry Prem was driving had got stolen from where it was parked 11 months ago. Prem had informed the Company and the police about the theft, leading to own arrest.

Prem was sentenced to a two-month jail term and 50 whips.

The vehicle was found 10 km away from the Company two days after the incident.

Prem completed his imprisonment, but got arrested again for the same offence from the airport and is now facing the jail term with a penalty of 310,000 Riyal.

Chakra complained that his repeated attempts to free his brother failed.