Call for the immediate and unconditional release of Raif Badawi
His Excellency Shaykh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkareem Al-Issa
Ministry of Justice,
University Street
Riyadh 11137 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Crown Prince and Minister of the Interior
His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Ministry of the Interior
P.O.Box 2933, Airport Road,
Riyadh 11134
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Excellencies,
On May 7, 2014 Jeddah’s Criminal Court sentenced Mr. Badawi to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine of 1 million Saudi riyals on charges of “insulting Islam” and “founding a liberal website.” According to PEN’s information, Mr. Badawi has also received a 10-year travel ban and 10-year media participation ban that will take effect upon his release. On June 7, 2015 the Saudi Supreme Court confirmed the sentence. The Court’s decision is final.
Mr. Badawi received the first 50 of 1,000 lashes in January 2015, however subsequent sessions have been postponed. PEN International continues to call for Badawi’s conviction to be overturned and for him to be released immediately and unconditionally and for his sentence of flogging to be halted immediately, as it violates the absolute prohibition in international law against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
PEN also reiterates its call for the release of Badawi’s lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence in connection with his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,