The family of an Australian man imprisoned in Saudi Arabia appealed their father's sentence of 500 lashes for blasphemy saying it would kill him.
Mansor Almaribe, 45, a Shiite Muslim and father of five living in Victoria, was on a Hajj pilgrimage to Medina last month when he was arrested for blasphemy while praying.
Son Isaam Almaribe, 21, said the Australian government was helping but the family needs officials to "speed things up -- I just want dad home as soon as possible."
Isaam said his father was in poor health, suffering from diabetes and broken bones in his knees and back from a past car accident. He said, "He couldn't survive 50 lashes, let alone 500 lashes. Dad said 'Take me out of here as soon as possible because if I stay here I will die' -- that's how bad it is. To be lashed is barbaric and it's really terrifying. Humans shouldn't be treated that way." |