Saudi Atheist Blogger May Face Death Penalty - Reports

The Saudi criminal court wants the blogger to be subjected to a re-trial for apostasy. He could face capital punishment if found guilty.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi may face death penalty, after he was sentenced to a prison term and 1,000 lashes over his religious and political views, The Independent newspaper reported Sunday.

According to the newspaper, Badawi's wife received information that the Saudi criminal court wants him to be subjected to a re-trial for apostasy. The "official sources" claimed that Badawi would face capital punishment if found guilty, The Independent reported.

In 2013, Badawi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes for allegedly insulting Islam on the Liberal Saudi Network website in 2008. Following the sentencing, the Saudi appeal court increased the penalty to 10 years of imprisonment and 1,000 lashes, with the weekly flogging of 50 lashes.

In January, Badawi was lashed 50 times in front of a mosque in the city of Jeddah. The move was condemned by the international community and rights organizations.

Violations of human rights in Saudi Arabia are a great concern of media and rights activists, with Riyadh having a worrisome record on freedom of expression and religious restrictions.

Last year, Badawi's lawyer received a 15-year prison sentence for criticizing Saudi authorities' human rights violations, including against his client.