Montreal

Wife of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi says flogging of husband to begin again soon

Ensaf Haidar says from her home in Sherbrooke, Que., that a source she trusts has told her the lashes are set to resume, without specifying exactly when.

Ensaf Haidar announces new foundation to lobby for freedom of the press

Ensaf Haidar's husband Raif Badawi is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Saudi Arabia. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

The wife of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi says his flogging is expected to resume soon.

Ensaf Haidar says from her home in Sherbrooke, Que., that a source she trusts has told her the lashes are set to resume, without specifying exactly when.

Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for criticizing Saudi Arabia clerics on his website, as well as facing a hefty fine.

The flogging has been suspended since an initial 50 lashes in January. Badawi's detention and sentence have stirred up worldwide condemnation.

Haidar is imploring prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau to take up her husband's case, as he has in the past.

While he is not a Canadian citizen, Badawi's wife and children have lived in Quebec's Eastern Townships region since 2013.

Haidar says the possibility of the flogging starting again is weighing heavily on her and the children.