Saudi blogger Raif Badawi released after ten years in prison

MENA

Published: 2022-03-11 20:33

Last Updated: 2024-03-26 14:57


Saudi blogger Raif Badawi released after ten years in prison
Saudi blogger Raif Badawi released after ten years in prison

Saudi blogger and activist Raif Badawi, a defender of freedom of expression and human rights, has been released after 10 years in prison in his country, his wife said Friday.

"Raif called me, he's free," Ensaf Haidar told AFP, after she announced the news on Twitter. Ensaf, who has become a Canadian citizen, resides in Quebec with her three children, where she has struggled for years to get her husband released.

A Saudi security official confirmed Badawi's release and said, on condition of anonymity, that Badawi "was released today."

In 2014, a Saudi court sentenced the Saudi blogger, who won the "Reporters Without Borders" award for freedom of the press, to ten years in prison and received 50 lashes per week over a period of 20 weeks for "insulting Islam."

As a result, the 38-year-old has become a symbol of freedom of expression around the world.

No details of the terms of his release, including a possible 10-year travel ban, were immediately available.

Amnesty International said in an email to AFP that it would "actively work to remove any conditions."

The organization tweeted, "Raif Badawi, the human rights defender in Saudi Arabia, has finally been released!"

"Thousands of you have rallied to our side to defend Raif Badawi for 10 years. Thank you very much all of you for your continued support," she added.

And every Friday for seven years, Haidar has been organizing a public vigil in Canada.

Colette Lolliaver, campaigner with Amnesty International, said his release was a "huge relief."

"Ensaf was speechless because it was surprising. She worked hard to free her husband (...) This is a big progress for her," she added, after speaking to Badawi's wife.

The province of Quebec cleared the way for Raif Badawi to come to the country if he so chose, by placing him on a priority list of potential humanitarian migrants.