A Saudi court has ruled that a man who paralyzed his best friend 10 years ago should now have his spinal cord severed in an “eye-for-an-eye” ruling.

Ali Al-Khawahir has been in prison since he was 14 years old after he stabbed his friend in the backbone. The court ruled that he be “fully paralyzed” unless he pays the compensation (about $529,000) demanded by the victim, the International Business Times reports.

The prisoner’s 60-year-old mother has begged people to contribute to her son’s fund.

“Ten years have passed with hundreds of sleepless nights. My hair has become grey at a young age because of my son’s problem. I have been frightened to death whenever I think about my son’s fate and that he will have to be paralysed,” she said according to a report in Saudi Gazette.

It has not been specified how Al-Khawahir will be paralyzed, but it has been speculated that his spinal chord will be severed, the International Business Times reports.

The concept of “Qisas,” or “equal retaliation,” is firmly entrenched in Islamic law, however “eye-for-an-eye” punishments are relatively rare among suspects of crimes other than theft.

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