Additional Name(s): Raif bin Muhammad Badawi, Raef bin Mohammed Badawi, رائف بن محمد بدوي

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Health Concerns: Corporal punishment

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/17/2012

Date of Sentencing: May/8/2014

Date of Release: March/11/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Other) Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Expression about Religion Online Activity Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Raif Badawi

Extra Bio Info:

Raif Badawi was imprisoned for his religious freedom advoacy, expression about religion, and for criticizing religious authorities.

In June 2012, authorities arrested Badawi, a blogger and human rights activist who co-founded the website Free Saudi Liberals, for insulting Islam. Badawi and his colleagues intended the website to encourage debate on religious and political issues in Saudi Arabia despite the country's restricted civic space. However, Badawi faced harassment and questioning following the creation of Free Saudi Liberals, beginning with charges of insulting Islam in 2008, continuing through a 2009 travel ban and asset freeze.

In December 2012, Badawi's trial began, in which evidence reportedly included posts on Free Saudi Liberals that criticized Saudi religious authorities and raised theological questions. The Saudi courts originally also recommended charging Badawi with apostasy, a crime punishable by death, reportedly due to his liking a Saudi Christian Facebook page and saying that “Muslims, Jews, Christians, and atheists are all equal.” The judge dropped this charge after Badawi stated that he was a Muslim and recited the Islamic declaration of faith.

In July 2013, a Saudi court sentenced Badawi to 600 lashes and seven years in prison for insulting Islam and breaking the anti-cybercrime law by founding a liberal website.

In May 2014, an appeals court resentenced Badawi to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes, a one million riyal fine, and a 10-year travel and media ban following release.

In January 2015, Badawi received the first 50 lashes in front of Al Juffali Mosque in Jeddah. Following an international outcry and a medical doctor’s finding that Badawi could not physically endure more lashings, no further lashings were carried out.

In June 2015 and March 2017, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court upheld the sentence of 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes.

On March 11, 2022, Raif was released from prison after completing his sentence. 

Badawi is married with three children. 

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) advocated for Badawi as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project. 

Related Cases: Waleed abu al-Khair

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