Prince Charles Raises Saudi Blogger Case

Prince Charles is thought to have raised the case of jailed blogger Raif Badawi with Saudi Arabia's new king.

Mr Badawi was accused of insulting Islam and sentenced to 10 years and 1,000 lashes after setting up a website for Saudi liberals.

A source said the prince had broached the issue during lunch at a palace in Riyadh.

"It is understood the issue was raised by the prince during his meeting with King Salman," the source said.

"The reaction from the King was not unfriendly."

The two men talked privately through an interpreter before the lunch and then sat together for the 40-minute meal.

Mr Badawi's first public flogging on 9 January attracted international condemnation.

He has so far received only the first 50 lashes after subsequent punishments were postponed.

Prince Charles has been under pressure from Amnesty International UK to raise humanitarian concerns during his six-day Middle East tour.

The prince knows the Saudi royal family well.

He was among world figures who travelled to the country to pay respects last month following the death of King Abdullah.

Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK director, has said any "diplomatic intercession" by the prince could help secure Mr Badawi's freedom.

The human rights organisation has also called on him to highlight the plight of foreign workers employed to build the infrastructure of the 2022 World Cup when he goes to Qatar.

The prince has already visited Jordan on his tour, with Qatar and the UAE still to come.