Saudi Blogger Accused of “Insulting Islam” Will Receive the First 50 of His 1,000 Lashes Punishment Tomorrow

30-year-old Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi was punished in 2013 for starting a progressive website that called for, among other things, religious tolerance and women’s rights. That was insulting to Islam, his critics said, and tomorrow, he will face the first 50 of his 1,000 lashes punishment (he also faces 10 years in jail and owes a 1,000,000 Saudi riyal fine — about $266,000).

The Center for Inquiry, which has worked to secure Badawi’s freedom to no avail, released this statement earlier...