Saudi liberal blogger Raif Badawi: ten years in prison, 1000 lashes and a fine of 1 million rials, for insulting al-qadae

Saudi Arabia: Release Raif Badawi! Created on Thursday, 22 May 2014 22:51 The International Association of Free Thought has learned with indignation of the increased criminal sanctions imposed against the Saudi liberal blogger Raif Badawi: ten years in prison, 1000 lashes and a fine of 1 million rials, for “insulting Islam.” Saudi Arabia is a key part of the Western system of alliances in the region. Its allies do not burden themselves with the task of questioning this theocracy and its medieval practices. In fact, the pronounced decree threatens all shades of freedom of expression since it considers as “terrorists” not only atheists, but also all those who dare to question the fundamentals of Islam as they form the basis of the Wahhabi monarchy. This can include Shiites, Sufis, Alawis, Ahmadiyya, indeed all Muslims, but also Christians and Hindus. The IAFT considers that this decree is a measure directed primarily against Saudi men and women who are beginning to claim their fundamental rights as citizens or even challenge the Wahhabi dictatorship from a religious point of view. The decree constitutes the strengthening of Wahhabism and is above all a crime against freedom of thought, and first and foremost against the freedom of thought of Saudi men and women.