Saudi Arabia Delays Blogger's Lashes Again

Raif Badawi's wife: He can't endure more
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 30, 2015 11:22 AM CST
Saudi Arabia Delays Blogger's Lashes Again
A protester holds a placard outside the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London, Friday Jan. 23, 2015, during a demonstration against the planned flogging of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi.   (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

Amnesty International says authorities in Saudi Arabia have delayed the planned flogging of a blogger convicted of insulting Islam for a third straight week in the face of growing international pressure against the punishment. An AI rep says the London-based rights group confirmed today's planned flogging of 31-year-old Raif Badawi did not take place, but it was unclear why. Amnesty has followed Badawi's case closely and is campaigning for his release.

Badawi's public flogging Jan. 9 in Jiddah attracted international condemnation. He was scheduled to receive 50 lashes a week for 20 weeks, but his floggings have now been postponed for the past three weeks. Badawi's wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives as a refugee in Quebec, Canada. She said yesterday her husband cannot endure another flogging. Click to read more on the case. (More Raif Badawi stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X