Raif Badawi: Saudi blogger 'to be lashed again this week'
Human rights groups warn that Badawi will receive another brutal public flogging for 'insulting Islam'
Blogger and activist Raif Badawi could receive his second public lashing tomorrow after the Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia court upheld its ruling.
Badawi was convicted in 2013 for "insulting Islam" by setting up a liberal website critical of the Kingdom's religious authorities. He was sentenced to 1,000 lashes, ten years in prison and fine of one million riyals (£172,000).
The ruling was immediately condemned by the United Nations, United States, European Union, and others. The British government has been criticised for not putting enough pressure on the Saudi government, but the Foreign Office insists it has raised his case "at the most senior levels" and will "continue to do so".
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Badawi received his first 50 lashes outside a mosque in central Jeddah in January. "[I was] surrounded by a cheering crowd who cried incessantly 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest)," he revealed in a letter to his family.
His second session was postponed after a doctor revealed that his wounds were so severe that they had not healed. The use of flogging has been condemned by the United Nations as "cruel and inhuman" form of punishment that can result in life-changing injuries or even death.
Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International warn that authorities are preparing to carry out a second flogging tomorrow after the country's highest court upheld the ruling last week.
"After the Supreme Court's callous ruling we're now extremely worried that Raif is going to be flogged on Friday," Allan Hogarth, head of policy and government affairs at Amnesty International UK told The Independent. "It's utterly shocking to think that he could be flogged week after week until all 950 lashes have been dished out."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The group warns that Badawi's case is "just the tip of the iceberg" of the kingdom's appalling human rights record and is urging the public to take action.
But, there is no further appeal possible in the Saudi courts, says the New York Times. "At this point, Mr. Badawi's only hope lies in a pardon from King Salman bin Abdulaziz."
-
How are ICE’s recruitment woes complicating Trump’s immigration agenda?TODAY’S BIG QUESTION Lowered training standards and ‘athletically allergic’ hopefuls are getting in the way of the White House plan to turn the Department of Homeland Security into a federal police force
-
What is a bubble? Understanding the financial term.the explainer An AI bubble burst could be looming
-
France makes first arrests in Louvre jewels heistSpeed Read Two suspects were arrested in connection with the daytime theft of royal jewels from the museum
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come