Saudi Arabia orders 1,000 lashes and ten-year sentence for editor of website that discussed religion

[Jesus Malverde]

A Saudi Arabian court has sentenced the editor of a website that discussed religion in the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom to 10 years in jail and 1,000 lashes.

Raif Badawi, who started the "Free Saudi Liberals" website, was arrested in June 2012 and charged with cyber-crime and disobeying his father - a crime in the Arab state, local media has reported.

His website included articles that were critical of senior religious figures such as Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti and allegedly insulted Islam and religious authorities, according to Human Rights Watch.

Prosecutors had demanded Badawi be tried for apostasy, a charge which carries the death penalty, but this was dismissed by the judge.

Read More: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-orders-1000-lashes-and-tenyear-sentence-for-editor-of-website-that-discussed-religion-9338285.html

[msongs]

1. weak belief systems cannot stand criticism nt

[Jesus Malverde]

2. It's not just weak, it's the use of religion to legitimize a monarchy.

Whether its' the church of england, or the sultan of brunei, Monarchies have to cover the inequality and injustice of their rule with the blessing of religion.

[mazzarro]

3. And possibly, the wish of the reThuglican party and the plutocracy that is is now pushing

The use of religion to religion to legitimize a ruling class is always dangerous - my friend. I agree 100% and even more.

[KG]

4. we should all be sooo proud we count SA as an 'ally'

[Control-Z]

10. That was my first thought. (nt)

[Sunlei]

5. Badawi's lawyer will not be able to represent him because he has also been jailed.

Badawi's lawyer, human rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair, will not be able to represent him in an appeal because he has also been jailed and is currently awaiting trial on criminal charges that include “breaking allegiance with the king,” and “making international organisations hostile to the kingdom".

This must be why the Saudis hired "Blackwater" To crush any domestic 'trouble'.

[Jesus Malverde]

6. They've seen the writing on the wall from their cousins in Bahrain.

[Jefferson23]

7. Horrendous, how does any person survive 1000 lashes? This is sickening. n/t

[oneofthe99]

8. He doesn't

[Jefferson23]

9. So these are death sentences....ugh. n/t