Blogger Raif Badawi’s Flogging Sentence to Be Reviewed by Saudi Arabia

Blogger Raif Badawi's sentence is set to be reviewed after the Saudi Arabian government referred the case to the Supreme Court on Friday. Badawi was incarcerated on 2012 for his blog 'Free Saudi Liberals' which was found to be critical of several top religious figures in the country. The blogger was slapped with a fine of $260,000 and sentenced to receive 1000 lashes and 10 years in jail for his offences. Badawi who underwent 50 lashes last week was about to receive 50 more this Friday when the lashings were finally postponed on medical grounds.

Amnesty International in their statement, revealed that the Badawi's previous "wounds had not yet healed properly and that he would not be able to withstand another round of lashes at this time."

In an interview to Agence France-Presse, Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar said, "The prison doctor saw Baddawi's health does not allow his flogging today." Haidar and her three kids have currently sought asylum in Canada.

Many countries from across the world including the US, Germany, Norway and Canada have urged the Saudi government to stop the public lashings calling the process "inhumane." The incident has also been condemned by the people worldwide with public demonstrations in front of Saudi Arabian embassies in several countries.

Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program, Said Boumedouha said, "The world's spotlight is shining on Saudi Arabia. If authorities ignore widespread criticism and unashamedly continue with the flogging of Raif Badawi, Saudi Arabia would be demonstrating contempt for international law and disregard for world opinion," said Said Boumedouha,

Last week a women was beheaded in Mecca publicly after she was found guilty of sexual abuse and murdering her 7 year old step daughter. The government hard-line approach to Sharia Law has been severely condemned by several human rights groups.