AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR THE RELEASE OF A SAUDI BLOGGER AFTER HIS SENTENCE EXPIRES

Sat 05 March 2022:

Following the end of his “unjust” 10-year prison sentence this week, Amnesty International has called for the release of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi.

The 38-year-old was “arbitrarily detained solely for freely expressing his opinions,” according to a statement released on Friday. He was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and a decade in prison.

Badawi, who has called for the abolition of religious influence in Saudi public life, was given his first 50 lashing, but the rest were suspended following international outcry.

“Raif Badawi has spent a decade behind bars solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa regional director.

“The Saudi Arabian authorities must ensure his immediate and unconditional release and lift the unlawful travel ban imposed on him so he can finally reunite with his family.”

Badawi’s prison sentence ended on March 1, according to Amnesty International.

In 2012, the recipient of Reporters Without Borders’ prize for press freedom was arrested and incarcerated in Saudi Arabia on grounds of “insulting Islam,” and was sentenced to ten years in prison at the end of 2014.

Ensaf Haidar, his wife, fled to Canada with their three children and is still campaigning for her husband’s release.

Badawi faces a 10-year travel ban even after his parole.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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