Saudi court has overturned the death sentence of Palestianian poet and artist Ashraf Fayadh, condemned for allegedly renouncing Islam, The Guardian reports, but maintains the charge. The new sentence condemns Fayadh to eight years in prison, 800 lashes on 16 different occasions and the official renouncement of his poetry on Saudi state media – a ruling his lawyer intends to appeal as well.
Fayadh’s arrest and sentencing to death last November for apostasy caused international outcry (full story here), with more than 60 arts and human rights organisations campaigning for his release and against Saudi Arabia’s oppressive government.
3 February 2015.
