Saudi Blogger Faces Death Penalty for Criticizing Islam

A Saudi judge recommended blogger Raif Badawi be tried for apostasy, a crime punishable by death, according to his wife. Badawai is currently serving prison time for the content of his Free Saudi Liberals website. According to CNN Badawi began the blog in 2008 as a forum for freely discussing religion in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials acted to persecute the blogger for "insulting Islam" that very same year. He escaped punishment by fleeing the country, returning when the charges were dropped.

In June of 2012, officials pinned Badawi with the same crime. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes.

"This incredibly harsh sentence for a peaceful blogger makes a mockery of Saudi Arabia's claims that it supports reform and religious dialogue," said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "A man who wanted to discuss religion has already been locked up for a year and now faces 600 lashes and seven years in prison."

But Badawai's situation has become even graver. His wife recently told CNN that a judge found the imprisoned activist guilty of apostasy, or denouncing Islam. The punishment for apostasy is death. The ruling has not been confirmed with the Saudi government.