Saudi student still in US jail despite $2 million bail

Saudi student Ziad Abid, charged with inciting the murder of a local bar owner in the US state of Missouri, remains in prison two months after Saudi authorities paid a $2 million bail to release him.

Abid was arrested on Sept. 5, 2011, and accused of inciting first-degree murder.

Reginald Singletary was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the killing of bar owner Blaine Whitworth.

Singletary admitted to shooting Whitworth, and told the police that Abid paid him to carry out the murder.

Singletary’s wife told investigators that he is a pathological liar.

In Dec. 2012, Abid’s attorneys said there was no physical or forensic evidence connecting their client to the crime, and he was only detained and charged based on Singletary’s statement.

As Abid’s family could not afford the bail, the Saudi government paid it, but judge Michael Wagnar has not explained why he still refuses to release him.

Al-Hayat newspaper quoted Abid’s lawyer as saying the judge is prejudiced towards him because he is Saudi.

The Appeal Court has ordered Wagnar to respond to Abid’s defense team by Monday at the latest.