A Saudi journalist has been sentenced to be whipped in public after being convicted of "instigating protests" against a government electricity company following a series of power cuts.
Fahd Al Jukhaidib, a journalist with the daily newspaper, Aljazierah, must serve two months in prison and suffer 50 lashes with the whip, including 25 lashes in public, in front of the electricity department.
Al Jukaidib was accused of leading a group of residents who live in the town of Qubba, in the central Saudi province of Qaseem, to the department two years ago to demand action over power cuts.
A few days later, the company yielded to their demands and sent seven additional power generators to the town.
According an online newspaper, Ajel, Jukhaidib explained: "The problem was over but I was later summoned by police, who charged me of instigating protests. I was then referred to court, which has just sentenced me...
"I will see a lawyer to appeal this sentence because the charge has no basis... I did not incite the residents. They only asked me to come with them and talk to the power company... there was no protest and everything was done peacefully."
Source: Emirates 24/7
