DUBAI: An Australian man sentenced to more than 400 lashes for blasphemy in Saudi Arabia has been released from custody and sent home. Mansor Almaribe, who already had received some 75 lashes, was released to the joy of his family. Speaking to local Australian broadcasters, Issam Almaribe, the 21-year-old son, said, “we are feeling so happy – he is finally coming home.” “We are all shocked because we have never been through this feeling before,” the 45-year-old's son said. Isaam said the entire family would come together for an emotional reunion at the airport. “We are just going to have a big party there for now,” he said. Mansour Almaribe was in December found guilty of blasphemy in a Saudi court, but according to The Australian, and his family feared that the 45-year-old would not survive the lashes and a subsequent one-year in prison. Almaribe is a father of five and was charged with insulting companions of the Prophet Mohamed. According to eyewitness accounts, the Australian was arrested while he was praying in a group. Sharman Stone, Australian federal MP for Murray, said community support for Almaribe's release had been overwhelming. “At that meeting (with Saudi officials) just before Christmas we presented petitions with hundreds of signatures of local and interstate people pleading for mercy and understanding, and the immediate release of Almaribe,” she said. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/L9ICo Tags: Australia, Blasphemy, featured, Lashes, Mansour Almaribe Section: Human Rights, Latest News, Oceana, Religion, Saudi Arabia
