FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Imprisoned Saudi blogger persecuted with new investigation Saudi authorities further target dissident and his Canadian wife

Sherbrooke - February 28th, 2021 - in the wake of the release by the Biden Administration of a damning intelligence report directly linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman to the brutal murder and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashogghi, Saudi authorities are intensifying their persecution of political prisoners.

Arrested on spurious charges in June 2012 and sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes, blogger Raif Badawi is being targeted with yet another investigation, his international legal team has learned. Imprisoned by previous Saudi authorities - and having never been publicly critical of them, nor the new Crown Prince - he and his wife Ensaf are nonetheless being investigated for "inciting public opinion" and "harming the reputation of the Kingdom".

An advocate of religious pluralism, respect for minorities, and normalization with Israel, Badawi has been brutally persecuted for peacefully espousing these views.

As the Biden Administration seeks to expand regional peace agreements and curtail the Kingdom's human rights abuses, Badawi's just case and cause presents an opportunity to meaningfully advance both.

Quotes:

"Raif Badawi's unjust imprisonment is a standing violation of international law and 's own domestic legal norms. It is Raif's unjust imprisonment and this new investigation against him that 'incites public opinion' and 'harms the reputation of the Kingdom', not his peaceful expression. Raif should be released and reunited with his family in ." - Honourable Professor Irwin Cotler, International Legal Counsel to Raif Badawi, and former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada

"9 years have been long enough. My kids are growing up without their father, and we all miss him terribly. Raif is not a criminal, but a peaceful advocate of coexistence. I hope that His Highness King Salman and Crown Prince Bin Salman can find it in their hearts to free Raif, and allow us to be a family once again." - Ensaf Haidar, wife of Raif Badawi

Quick facts:

- Badawi's wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their three children fled to Canada as refugees, and recently received Canadian citizenship. Haidar is also being targeted by Saudi authorities in this new investigation.

- Raif Badawi is one of the world's most recognized dissidents, having received dozens of major international awards. World leaders from across the political spectrum have publicly called for his release, including interventions from Canadian Prime Minister , the European Union, and unanimous motions of the U.S. House and Senate.

- Raif Badawi's sister and his Saudi lawyer Waleed Abulkhair have also been unjustly imprisoned.

- Saudi authorities traditionally grant pardons to prisoners on the occasion of Ramadan, which begins in April this year.

For interviews, please contact Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights: [email protected] ​