UK Pensioner Faces 350 Lashes In Saudi Arabia

The family of a British pensioner facing 350 lashes in Saudi Arabia are pleading with the UK Government to intervene because they fear the punishment could kill him.

Karl Andree, 74, was sentenced to 12 months in jail by a Sharia court after police found home-made wine in the boot of his car in Jeddah last year.Alcohol is banned under Islamic law in Saudi Arabia where Mr Andree has lived for the past 25 years.

Mr Andree has now served his sentence but has been held in jail for a further two months - and now faces a public flogging.

But his children Hugh, 46, Kirsten, 45, and Simon, 33, fear the grandfather-of-seven will not survive the punishment as he suffers from asthma and is frail after surviving cancer three times.

The oil executive's youngest son Simon told Sky News his father is being held in a windowless room.

"He's an old, frail man. The lashings will kill him. He will keel over and have a heart attack. We want him home and the Government needs to intervene," he said.

"Our mum Verity has Alzheimer's and is deteriorating and he needs to see her."

The Foreign Office confirmed it has raised Mr Andree's case with the Saudis.

"Our embassy staff are continuing to assist Mr Andree, including regular visits to check on his welfare, and frequent contact with his lawyer and family," a spokesman told Sky News.

"Ministers and senior officials have raised Mr Andree's case with the Saudi Government and we are actively seeking his release as soon as possible."

Mr Andree is being held in Jeddah's Briman Prison, which has a reputation for torture and overcrowded cells, The Sun reported.

Last month, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for Mr Cameron to intervene to try to save the life of a Saudi teenager who is due to be beheaded.

Ali Mohammed al Nimr was reportedly sentenced to death for his part in anti-government protests, including breaking allegiance to the king and rioting.

He was 17 when he allegedly committed the crimes.

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