Raif Badawi flogging case to be reviewed by Saudi Arabia: report

The sentence of Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawihas been referred to the country's Supreme Court for review by the king's office, according to a media report.

Badawi's wife, EnsafHaidar, who lives in Sherbrooke, Que.,told BBC News the decision bySaudi Arabias King Abdullahmakes her hopeful authorities want to end his punishment.

The development comes after asecond round of lashings scheduled for Friday werepostponed for medical reasons, according to Amnesty International.

• Vigil held in Montreal for Raif Badawi
• RaifBadawiflogged for activism, rights group says
• Quebec woman's jailed husband faces whipping

The human rights group reported thatBadawi was removed from his jail cell on Friday morning and taken to the prison clinic for a medical checkup before his sentence was due to be carried out.

"The doctor concluded that the wounds had not yet healed properly and that he would not be able to withstand another round of lashes at this time," Amnesty International said.

"He recommended that the flogging should be postponed until next week. It is unclear whether the authorities will fully comply with this demand."

SaidBoumedouha of Amnesty Internationalsaid the postponement underlinesthe brutal nature of the lashings.

"The notion that Raif Badawi must be allowed to heal so that he can suffer this cruel punishment again and again is macabre and outrageous," Boumedouha said.

Blog intended as forum for debate

Badawi, author of a blog about human rights and social change, was sentenced last year to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine of onemillion Saudi Arabian riyals (about $315,000Cdn).

Haidarand their three children feared for their safety in Saudi Arabia after his arrest and eventually settledinSherbrooke, Que., as refugees.

Badawi's offences included creating an online forum for public debate,insulting Islam and parental disobedience.

It is a crime to disobey your father in Saudi Arabia.Badawi'sfather reportedly went on TV to denounce his son's website.

BadawiandHaidarhave saidhe never attacked Islam and that his blog was only intended toprovide a forum for open debate.

Badawireceived his first 50 lashings in a public square after morning prayers a week ago in the port city ofJeddah, Amnesty International reported.

The flogging has beenset to becarried out over a period of 20 weeks, the group said.

Pressure mounts on Saudi Arabia

The case has sparked international outcry and widespread protest.

Demonstrations were scheduled for Fridayoutside Quebec's National Assembly and in Sherbrooke.

The UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, has called on Saudi Arabias King Abdullah to pardon him.The United States has also asked Saudi Arabia to cancel the 1,000 lashes.

• As It Happens |Badawi'swife:'It is criminal. It is cruel'

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs has called the sentencea "violation of human dignity," but said its involvement in the case is limited by the factBadawiisn't a Canadian citizen.

NDPLeader Tom Mulcair saidthe prime minister shouldspeak out.

"Canada must make every effort to guarantee his release, allowhim to return home to his familyand to prevent him from beingsubjected to this horrible punishment simply for having expressed his opinion," Mulcair said in a letter addressed to Stephen Harper.