Egypt, Saudi Arabia coordinate on regional crises ahead of first Supreme Council meeting    FRA launches first register for tech-based risk assessment firms in non-banking finance    Egypt's Health Ministry, Philips to study local manufacturing of CT scan machines    African World Heritage Fund registers four new sites as Egypt hosts board meetings    Maduro faces New York court as world leaders demand explanation and Trump threatens strikes    Egypt identifies 80 measures to overhaul startup environment and boost investment    Turkish firm Eroglu Moda Tekstil to invest $5.6m in Egypt garment factory    EGX closes in red area on 5 Jan    Gold rises on Monday    Oil falls on Monday    Al-Sisi pledges full support for UN desertification chief in Cairo meeting    Al-Sisi highlights Egypt's sporting readiness during 2026 World Cup trophy tour    Egypt opens Braille-accessible library in Cairo under presidential directive    Abdelatty urges calm in Yemen in high-level calls with Turkey, Pakistan, Gulf states    Madbouly highlights "love and closeness" between Egyptians during Christmas visit    Egypt confirms safety of citizens in Venezuela after US strikes, capture of Maduro    From Niche to National Asset: Inside the Egyptian Golf Federation's Institutional Rebirth    5th-century BC industrial hub, Roman burials discovered in Egypt's West Delta    Egyptian-Italian team uncovers ancient workshops, Roman cemetery in Western Nile Delta    Egypt, Viatris sign MoU to expand presidential mental health initiative    Egypt's PM reviews rollout of second phase of universal health insurance scheme    Egypt sends medical convoy, supplies to Sudan to support healthcare sector    Egypt sends 15th urgent aid convoy to Gaza in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services    Al-Sisi: Egypt seeks binding Nile agreement with Ethiopia    Egyptian-built dam in Tanzania is model for Nile cooperation, says Foreign Minister    Al-Sisi affirms support for Sudan's sovereignty and calls for accountability over conflict crimes    Egypt flags red lines, urges Sudan unity, civilian protection    Egyptian Golf Federation appoints Stuart Clayton as technical director    4th Egyptian Women Summit kicks off with focus on STEM, AI    UNESCO adds Egyptian Koshari to intangible cultural heritage list    Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium    Egypt warns of erratic Ethiopian dam operations after sharp swings in Blue Nile flows    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi 'on hunger strike'
Deutsche Welle Published in Daily News Egypt on 11 - 12 - 2015

Raif Badawi has started a hunger strike, protesting against new prison conditions, according to his wife. Ensaf Haidar said her husband had been on strike since Tuesday; she pleaded for him to be pardoned.
Haidar tweeted on Thurday that Badawi had begun his hunger strike after being transferred to a new isolated prison.
An identical post appeared on Badawi's own Twitter account. Following her tweet that Badawi was on hunger strike, Haidar – who has been granted political asylum in Canada along with the couple's three children – called on Saudi Arabia's King Salman to issue a pardon for him.
Badawi, who had made online appeals for an end to the influence of religion on Saudi public life, was found guilty in 2014 of "insulting Islam" and breaking Saudi Arabia's cyber laws. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes. The blogger received his first 50 lashes in January, although that part of the sentence was put on hold after complaints from the EU, the US and United Nations.
Haidar has also called on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to issue a safe passage Canadian passport for Badawi. The civic organization Avaaz mounted an online petition campaign in support of her plea.
Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion said the federal government was still seeking confirmation of the situation.
"We are very concerned about the situation of Mr. Badawi," he said. Asked if Canada was making representations to the Saudi embassy, he said: "We are doing our best to make sure that we will have a positive result in the end."
The human rights group Amnesty said it had confirmed that Badawi had been moved to a different jail "for administrative reasons," but could not confirm that he had started a hunger strike.
Haidar is expected to travel to France to accept the prestigious Sakharov Prize on her husband's behalf in a ceremony in Strasbourg next week. The prize, awarded by the European Parliament, honors freedom of thought.
Badawi was awarded DW's Freedom of Speech BOB award in September this year.
rc/msh (Reuters, dpa)

Clic here to read the story from its source.