Saudi Arabia delays flogging

Saudi Arabia plans to delay the public flogging of a rights activist on medical grounds, Amnesty International said, raising the possibility that Riyadh may be trying to quietly drop the punishment that has drawn international rebuke.

Raif Badawi, a blogger and founder of the Free Saudi Liberals website, was sentenced last year to 10 years in jail, a fine of 1 million riyals (€235,000), and 1,000 lashes.

Amnesty, which is campaigning for his release, says the lashes were scheduled to be administered over 20 weekly sessions, with 50 lashes each week.