Raif Badawi flogging delayed for 8th week in a row

Raif Badawi, the Saudi blogger jailed for criticizing Islam, has had his weekly lashes delayed for an eighth consecutive week.

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His supporters confirmed the development on Badawi'sofficial Twitter account.

Badawi was arrested in June 2012 after criticizing the Saudi regime and expressing views critical of Islam on his blog.

He was eventually sentenced in May 2014 to tenyears in jail and1,000 lashes, to be delivered in batches of 50 every week.

He was flogged for the first time on Jan. 9.

Badawi is a 32-year-old blogger and activist. Hiswife,Ensaf Haidar, and their three children are refugeeslivingin Sherbrooke, Que.

Haidartold CBC earlier this week she's heard from official sources inSaudiaArabia thather husband may face a new trial, this time for renouncing faith.

The apostasy charge is punishable under Saudi law with thedeath penalty by beheading.