The wife of detained Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was
sentenced to 1,000 lashes and years in prison for insulting Islam, said Tuesday
the flogging will soon resume. Citing an ‘informed source’, Ensaf Haidar, who
lives in Canada, said: ‘Saudi authorities have given the green light to the
resumption of Raif Badawi’s flogging.’
The flogging will take place ‘soon’ at the prison where
Badawi is held, she said on a website dedicated to her husband’s plight.
Badawi is held, she said on a website dedicated to her husband’s plight.
In March, Badawi spoke for the first time since being
jailed, saying it was ‘miraculous’ that he had survived his first 50 lashes. Badawi
recalled how he received the first round of lashes in Jeddah on January while
surrounded by a cheering crowd that chanted ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is the greatest).
jailed, saying it was ‘miraculous’ that he had survived his first 50 lashes. Badawi
recalled how he received the first round of lashes in Jeddah on January while
surrounded by a cheering crowd that chanted ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is the greatest).
In a letter which the magazine said was his first since
being jailed, Badawi said: ‘All this cruel suffering happened to me only
because I expressed my opinion.’
being jailed, Badawi said: ‘All this cruel suffering happened to me only
because I expressed my opinion.’
His wife Ensaf Haidar said her husband is in ‘a poor
condition’, adding he had suffered from high blood pressure and was mentally
very stressed.
condition’, adding he had suffered from high blood pressure and was mentally
very stressed.
Worldwide outrage followed a court decision sentencing
Badawi to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for insulting Islam, a verdict
upheld this year by Saudi Arabia’s supreme court.
Badawi to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for insulting Islam, a verdict
upheld this year by Saudi Arabia’s supreme court.
Badawi received the first 50 lashes outside a mosque in the
Red Sea city of Jeddah in January, but subsequent rounds of punishment were
postponed and now to resume.
Red Sea city of Jeddah in January, but subsequent rounds of punishment were
postponed and now to resume.
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