THE Federal Government will "urgently'' seek leniency after a Shepparton man was sentenced to a year in jail and 500 lashes in Saudi Arabia for religious offences.
Father-of-five Mansor Almaribe, 45, was charged with blasphemy last month while participating in the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Shiite Muslim was initially sentenced to two years in jail and 500 lashes but then reduced the sentence to one year and 500 lashes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today said the Australian ambassador had been in touch with Saudi authorities and and was providing consular assistance to Mr Almaribe's family.
"The Ambassador will urgently pursue avenues for leniency with relevant authorities,'' a spokeswoman said.
Mr Almaribe faced the death penalty after he was accused of insulting the companions of the prophet Muhammad under the country's blasphemy laws.
He was detained in the city of Medina on November 14.
Australian officials have struggled to get to Mr Almaribe with one being refused entry at the prison door and also because only followers of Islamic faith may enter Medina, under Saudi law.
Source: The Australian, December 7, 2011
Family is puzzled by man's arrest, sentencing in Saudi Arabia
(CNN) -- The family of an Australian man, convicted of blasphemy by a Saudi Arabian court, wonders what it is he could have said that earned him a sentence of 500 lashes and a year in prison.
Mansor Almaribe's son said the pair only had a 90-second phone conversation since his arrest last month.
"He could not speak freely because authorities were around him but he said the charges are very stupid and 'They charged me for something I have not done," his son, Issam, said.
Almaribe was found guilty of blasphemy after he was arrested last month in Medina while on a pilgrimage, Australian officials said.
"I don't think my dad would even survive 50 lashes not 500," the son said. "He goes to the doctor every week for checks ups. He has knee injuries and back injuries from a car accident and he also has diabetes and high blood pressure."
The family spent weeks searching for the Iraqi born father of five after he went missing in early November while performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
"When we found out what happened, it was the worst thing I ever pictured in my life," Almaribe said.
The Australian government is pleading Almaribe's case.
"The ambassador has urgently contacted Saudi authorities and will make strong representations, including to key figures in the Saudi government, seeking leniency," said Kate Sieper, an Australian foreign affairs spokeswoman.
The Saudi court system has an appeal process, a Saudi foreign ministry spokesman said.
"We don't comment on court decisions or legal procedures," said Usama Al-Nugali. "However, any court pleading, primary and judicial decisions could be appealed in the appeals court. All individuals have the right to a defense attorney, including non-Saudis who also enjoy the right of the presence of their diplomatic mission."
Consular officials have contacted Almaribe several times by phone since his arrest, and were in the courtroom during the verdict.
Australian officials said they were informed he was convicted of blasphemy and "making comments insulting to prophet Mohammed's relatives."
His sentence was originally two years in prison and 500 lashes, but the court reduced the sentence by a year, consular officials said. It was unclear when the lashing will take place.
Blasphemy is punishable by up to a death sentence in Saudi Arabia.
Source: CNN, December 8, 2011
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