Saudi court revokes poet's death sentence

A Palestinian poet sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for apostasy has had his sentence reduced to prison time and lashes instead, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Ashraf Fayadh was sentenced to death in November by a court in the southwestern city of Abha. He faced charges including blasphemy, spreading atheism and having illicit relationships with women.

His defense lawyer, Abdulrahman Al Lahim, said in a statement posted online that an Abha court has quashed the death sentence and issued a new appeals verdict of 800 lashes and eight years behind bars. The lashes are to be meted out 50 at a time. Fayadh must also publicly repent and denounce his works in the media, the lawyer said. The attorney said he intends to formally object to the latest ruling.

Fayadh's death sentence was issued on appeal following an earlier verdict of 800 lashes and four years in prison. Judges issued the death sentence after throwing out earlier defense witness testimony and refusing to accept his repentance.

In the days after he was sentenced to death, Fayadh was quoted by a local news website denying that he is an atheist and contending that his case centered on a personal dispute.

Photo: AP/Khaleej Times