Saudi blogger may now face death penalty

[DrLeftover]

Sunday 01 March 2015

Raif Badawi, the Saudi Arabian blogger whose punishment of 1,000 lashes has prompted international condemnation, may now face the death penalty.

Mr Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, told The Independent in a series of messages that judges in Saudi Arabia’s criminal court want him to undergo a re-trial for apostasy. If found guilty, he would face a death sentence.

She said the “dangerous information” had come from “official sources” inside the conservative kingdom, where Mr Badawi has already been sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes – administered at a rate of 50 per week – for criticising the country’s clerics through his liberal blog.

In 2013, a judge threw out the charge of apostasy against the 31-year-old blogger after he assured the court that he was a Muslim. The evidence against him had included the fact that he pressed the “Like” button on a Facebook page for Arab Christians.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-the-saudi-arabian-blogger-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-may-now-get-the-death-penalty-10077877.html

 

[Jazzy]

The news that the charge may now be re-examined will come as a bitter blow to Mr Badawi’s family and supporters, who had hoped that the international pressure over his case would prompt Saudi Arabia to reduce his sentence.

Doesn't mention the reason for the re-examination. Wonder why now?

 

[DrLeftover]

There is no "double jeopardy" clause under Sharia as usually implemented.

 

[Jazzy]

There is no "double jeopardy" clause under Sharia as usually implemented.

Okay but in 2013, a judge threw out the charge of apostasy. What's making them re-examine the case now?

 

[Webster]

*reads up on the thread* Tell me again why we're supporting such a backwards society as Saudi Arabia....