Prince Charles urged to raise Raif Badawi case on Saudi Arabia visit

The Prince of Wales arrived in Saudi Arabia today. Credit: PA

Prince Charles should speak out against the flogging of Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi on his visit to the country today, the activist's wife has told ITV News.

Ensaf Haidar said she hopes Charles "speaks about Raif's situation immediately and asks for his immediate release."

Mr Badawi, 31, was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for cyber offences and insulting Islam. He has already received 50 lashes in public.

His wife said:

Saudi blogger Raif Badawi has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes. Credit: Amnesty International

The Prince is in Saudi Arabia as part of a tour of the Middle East that also includes Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Amnesty International has already called on the royal to raise human rights issues during the tour.