Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, whom is a
famous blogger in saudi Arabia was
flogged on Friday in the city of Jeddah,
part of a sentence he was handed for
insulting Islam.
The Associated Press reports that
Badawi, who was flogged in public
with his hands and feet shackled,
remained silent during the
punishment of 50 lashes that lasted 15
minutes. The news service quoted an
eyewitness who wished to remain
anonymous because of the fear of
government reprisals.
Amnesty International also confirmed
that the flogging occurred, calling it "a
vicious act of cruelty."
Badawi was found guilty last year of
insulting Islam on Free Saudi Liberals,
a website he created, and also ordered
to pay about $266,000 in fines. A court
originally sentenced him to 600 lashes
and seven years in prison, but a judge
increased the sentence after an
appeal.
Amnesty said he will receive 50 lashes
each week for 20 weeks.
Badawi's website, now closed,
criticized Saudi clerics and their
interpretation of Islam.
The U.S. State Department on
Thursday urged Saudi Arabia, a close
U.S. ally, to cancel the punishment.
Badawi's wife and their three children
moved to Canada after his arrest.