Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, whose flogging sentence caused global outcry was just awarded EU's prestigious Sakharov Prize for human rig...
Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, whose flogging sentence caused global outcry was just awarded EU's prestigious Sakharov Prize for human rights.
He was honored the award as a symbol of the fight for freedom of speech. Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes for insulting Muslim clerics. The announcement was greeted with a standing ovation on Thursday at the European Parliament assembly in Strasbourg, France.
Parliament President Martin Schulz urged Saudi Arabian king to free him so he could accept the prize. "We urge His Majesty King Salmon, to release Raif Badawi from prison and in any case to end the barbaric punishment of flogging". Martin Schulz said.
Badawi was one of the three nominees selected for the prize this year. We sincerely hope and pray he is released.
He was honored the award as a symbol of the fight for freedom of speech. Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes for insulting Muslim clerics. The announcement was greeted with a standing ovation on Thursday at the European Parliament assembly in Strasbourg, France.
Parliament President Martin Schulz urged Saudi Arabian king to free him so he could accept the prize. "We urge His Majesty King Salmon, to release Raif Badawi from prison and in any case to end the barbaric punishment of flogging". Martin Schulz said.
Badawi was one of the three nominees selected for the prize this year. We sincerely hope and pray he is released.