Saudi blogger sentenced to 600 lashes
Reuters
A Saudi website founder is to be
whipped 600 times and jailed for 7 years for violating Islamic values, a
sentence condemned by rights groups. File photo: Reuters
Dubai - An
international rights group condemned the sentencing of a Saudi Arabian
website founder to be whipped 600 times and jailed for seven years for
violating Islamic values, saying it undermined the kingdom's stated
support for religious debate.
A court in Jeddah handed down the
sentence on Raif Badawi, who started the 'Free Social Liberals' website
to discuss the role of religion in Saudi Arabia, Saudi media reported on
Tuesday.
“This incredibly harsh sentence
for a peaceful blogger makes a mockery of Saudi Arabia's claims that it
supports reform and religious dialogue,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle
East director at US-based Human Rights Watch.
The United States said it was
deeply concerned about the case. “We believe that when public speech is
deemed offensive, be it via social media or any other means, the issue
is best addressed through open dialogue and honest debate,” State
Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a briefing on Tuesday.