Raif Badawi awarded prestigious Sakharov Prize for human rights

A Saudi blogger sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000lashes for insulting Muslim clerics has won the European Union'sprestigious Sakharov Prize for human rights.

Raif Badawi whose wife and three children live in Quebec's Eastern Townships regionwas honoured with the award as a symbol of the fight forfreedom of speech.

The announcement wasgreeted with a standing ovationThursday at the European Parliament assembly in Strasbourg, France.

"I urge the king of Saudi Arabia to free him, so he can accept theprize,'' Parliament President Martin Schulz said.

On Wednesday,Ensaf Haidar, Badawi's wife, said she has information that her husband's flogging is set toresume. Thepunishment was suspended after Badawireceived thefirst50 lashes inJanuary.

Haidaralsocalled on Canada's prime minister-designate, Justin Trudeau, to resume his earlier support for Badawi.

In June, the Quebec government granted Badawi aselectioncertificate, a first step meant to speed up hisimmigration process should he be released from prison.

Badawi was one of three nominees for the SakharovPrize this year, along withthe Venezuelan opposition movement Mesa de la Unidad Democratica andassassinated Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

"The European Parliament has sent today a strong political andhumanitarian message to Saudi Arabian authorities,'' said GuyVerhofstadt, leader of the Liberal bloc.

"We urge His Majesty KingSalman to release Raif Badawi from prison and in any case to end thebarbaric punishment of flogging.''

The freedom of thought award is named after the Soviet scientist anddissidentAndreiSakharov. It was set up in 1988 to honour people andorganizations who are defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.