An Australian man convicted of blasphemy by a Saudi Arabian court was sentenced Wednesday to 500 lashes and two years in prison. The prison time was later reduced to one year.
Mansor Almaribe, a father of 5 from Victoria state, was taking part in the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca last month when he was arrested in Medina for allegedly insulting relatives of the prophet Mohammed. The exact circumstances surrounding his arrest are unclear. Some reports say he was worshiping in a group when he was taken into custody.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Foreign Affairs office said the ambassador to Saudi Arabia is currently working on getting authorities to grant Almaribe, 45, leniency. “The ambassador has urgently contacted Saudi authorities and will make strong representations, including to key figures in the Saudi government, seeking leniency," the spokesperson said.
A spokesman for the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Almaribe can appeal his sentence. "We don't comment on court decisions or legal procedures. However, any court pleading, primary and judicial decisions could be appealed in the appeals court. All individuals have the right for a defense attorney, including non-Saudis who also enjoy the right of the presence of their diplomatic mission," he said.
Almaribe’s children fear for his life. “Five hundred slashes on his back and he has back problems. I wouldn’t think he’d survive 50,” Almaribe’s son Mohammed told ABC.
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