Saudi Supreme Court upholds verdict against liberal blogger
Raif Badawi was sentenced last year to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison. He was banned from traveling abroad for 10 years and fined $266,000.
A person close to the case says the Supreme Court’s decision, announced Sunday, has not made clear whether lashings are part of the final verdict.
The person, who spoke anonymously for fear of retribution, says that because Badawi’s flogging has been halted since January, the ruling may exclude public lashings.
The Supreme Court’s decision is final and cannot be overturned without a royal pardon.
Badawi’s flogging has been criticized internationally by rights groups and Western governments.