Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has upheld the sentence of 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes issued against jailed blogger Raif Badawi.
AFP reports that according to Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, who currently resides in Sherbrooke, Quebec with the couple’s three children, the Supreme Court decision is irrevocable.
Haidar indicated that the final hope for Badawi is a potential royal pardon by the new Saudi king that might be issued during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Raif Badawi was found guilty of insulting Islamic values, “promoting liberal thought” and “transgressing the realm of obedience” by proposing the promotion of democratic values in his country.
He has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and a 10-year ban on foreign travel. He has been fined $267,000 and must endure 1,000 lashes. Since that many lashes could be fatal if given at once, the judges have decided that he will be given 50 lashes a week for 20 consecutive weeks. The first 50 lashes were delivered in January but the rest were suspended due to Badawi’s severe health condition. If Badawi does not receive a pardon, the floggings will probably resume.
