Raef Badawi, a blogger was convicted by a Saudi court to 10 years in prison, a 1000 lashes and ordered to pay one million Riyals ($267,000, 192,000 Euros) for insulting Islam. He has just received the first instalment of 50 lashes on Friday and is expected to have 20 weekly whipping sessions until his punishment is complete. The blogger did not make any sound or cry. The lashing lasted 15 minutes.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said the punishment was “barbaric” and noted it came after Saudi Arabia condemned the assault on French magazine Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people dead.
The US had urged its ally Saudi Arabia to cancel the “brutal” lashing of Badawi. (While sanctions are in place against Russia).
Now where is Tony Blair when we need him most?
Just a thought: When will flogging become a legal mode of punishment in a civilised country?
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