One year after Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail, his wife has issued an impassioned plea to the Saudi authorities for his release.
"A year ago you sentenced my husband to 10 years in jail and 1000 lashes. Four months ago you flogged him in public as if he was a nasty criminal. Expressing one's opinion is not a crime, I urge King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to release my husband immediately and end his suffering," said Ensaf Haidar Thursday.
In the statement, she expressed gratitude for the international support for Badawi's case, which she believes has helped save him from further lashings.
Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in jail, 1,000 lashes and a fine of 1 million riyals by Jeddah's criminal court on 7 May 2014 for setting up an online forum for public debate.
On 9 January 2015, Raif Badawi received 50 lashes after Friday prayers in a public square in Jeddah, prompting an international outcry. For two subsequent weeks his flogging was called off based on medical advice. He has not been flogged since, and the authorities have not disclosed the reasons why. He remains at risk.
A global campaign has been initiated to call for his release, gathering the support of tens of thousands of people worldwide.
Thursday, Amnesty International joined Ensaf Haidar to renew appeals for Badawi's immediate and unconditional release.
http://www.rttnews.com/2495053/flogged-saudi-blogger-s-wife-pleads-to-king-for-husband-s-release.aspx?type=pn
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