The Supreme Court yesterday upheld Saiful Islam Mamun's death penalty for killing Saudi embassy official Khalaf Al Ali in 2012.

The four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after dismissing the petition filed by the convict seeking review. Now, only president's mercy can save his life, as court procedures are over, said his lawyer Advocate Dr Kazi Aktar Hamid.

Saudi embassy official Khalaf, 45, was shot dead near his house in Gulshan in March 2012.

On December 2012, a Dhaka court awarded death penalty to all five accused, including Saiful.

In 2013, HC upheld Saiful's death, reduced the sentence of three to life terms while acquitting one from all charges.

In November last year, the apex court upheld the HC verdict.

Saiful filed a petition seeking review of its verdict on him in the case on October 4.