Saudi blogger's flogging postponed for health reasons as protests grow

A Saudi Arabian blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes, 10 years in prison and a fine has had this weeks flogging postponed after doctors said he had not recovered from last weeks' lashes.

Raif Badawi, 31, was sentenced in May for charges related to a website he set up called the Saudi Arabian Liberals, and over allegations he insulted senior Islamic clerics, and Islam.

Badawi has been receiving 50 public lashes a week each Friday after prayers, but this week's flogging was delayed when the prison doctor concluded that his wounds had not healed properly and he would not be able to withstand another bout.

Amnesty International have criticised the UK government's muted response to the sentence, accusing ministers of 'wearing the Saudi muzzle', and have challenged the Foreign Office to act on its much-touted commitment to freedom of expression.

Amnesty's Said Boumedouha said the Saudi government's action constituted an "outrageous inhumanity".

The Foreign Office said it has "raised the case at a senior level" today but it remains unclear if this interjection has had any impact. A Foreign Office spokesperson told ITV News they remain "seriously concerned" by the case.

Across social media, supporters have been tweeting under the #JeSuisRaif hashtag and organising offline protests outside Saudi embassies.

Read: Saudi activist faces lashes in public square

Badawi, whose family live in Canada, is also not permitted to leave Saudi Arabia when he is released, and is further prevented from participating in the media. Amnesty International consider him a prisoner of conscience and are campaigning for his immediate release.