Saudi Arabia: Atheist tweeter sentenced to 2,000 lashes for 'denying the existence of God'

 Reuters

An atheist man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and 2,000 lashes in Saudi Arabia for posting about his beliefs on Twitter.

According to AP, the 28-year-old admitted to being an atheist after Saudi religious police found he had posted more than 600 tweets "denying the existence of God, ridiculing the Quranic verses, accusing all prophets of lies and saying their teaching fuelled hostilities".

He reportedly refused to apologise, saying he had the right to express his beliefs.

A court has now handed him a fine of 20,000 riyals, just less than £4,000, in addition to the lashes and jail time.

Islam is the state religion of Saudi Arabia. The legal system is based on Shariah law, and courts regularly impose severe physical punishments, including the death penalty, for apostasy.

article,article,article,article Related

A law enacted in 2014 equates atheism with terrorism. The legislation banned "calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of Islamic religion."

Saudi blogger Raif Badawi was sentenced in 2013 to seven years in prison and 600 lashes over accusations he insulted Islam. His sentence was later increased to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine.

The first 50 lashes were administered on January 9 last year, and his second flogging has been postponed more than a dozen times.

Amnesty International, which is campaigning for Badawi's release, has condemned Saudi Arabia as having "one of the worst human rights records in the world".

"Corporal punishment like flogging... is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that has no place in the justice system," Amnesty said.

related articles
Hacked to death for unbelief: The rise of atheist persecution

Hacked to death for unbelief: The rise of atheist persecution

Why I\'m happy Britain isn\'t helping to run Saudi prisons – but not ecstatic
Why I'm happy Britain isn't helping to run Saudi prisons – but not ecstatic

Why I'm happy Britain isn't helping to run Saudi prisons – but not ecstatic

As bad as ISIS? Why we let Saudi Arabia get away with murder
As bad as ISIS? Why we let Saudi Arabia get away with murder

As bad as ISIS? Why we let Saudi Arabia get away with murder

Most countries fail to respect rights of atheists - report

Most countries fail to respect rights of atheists - report

Cameron\'s silence on Saudi executions is \'utterly shameful\', human rights campaigners say
Cameron's silence on Saudi executions is 'utterly shameful', human rights campaigners say

Cameron's silence on Saudi executions is 'utterly shameful', human rights campaigners say

The surprising surge of Christianity in the Middle East

The surprising surge of Christianity in the Middle East

News
Chris Pratt says Jesus is essential to his life
Chris Pratt says Jesus is essential to his life

Hollywood actor Chris Pratt continues to boldly affirm his Christian faith, most recently by naming Jesus as one of the top things he simply cannot live without. 

Cathedrals Cycle Relay concludes in Bradford after 2,000 miles
Cathedrals Cycle Relay concludes in Bradford after 2,000 miles

The 2,000-mile journey connected more than 40 cathedrals across the UK.

Four ways to change how Christians are portrayed in the media
Four ways to change how Christians are portrayed in the media

National denominations and big Christian organisations can do so much – but motivated local churches, seeking to win coverage on their doorsteps, could help transform how the Church is perceived across the country and beyond.

London resident threatens to sue council over trans display
London resident threatens to sue council over trans display

The display was made in honour of the controversial Tavistock clinic