On behalf of Michael Russell MSP, Scottish PEN invites you to attend a reading of Raif Badawi’s work marking the fourth anniversary of his arrest.

Raif is a human rights campaigner from Saudi Arabia who has spoken out about free speech and secularism. He was charged in 2012 for insulting Islam on his blog. In 2013 he was sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes, which was later increased to ten years and 1000 lashes. He has so far received 50, and carried out multiple hunger strikes.

Join us in Scottish parliament to hear notable Scottish writers read extracts from Raif’s work and to celebrate the continued bravery of this man and his family.

PEN International, Amnesty International, and many other human rights organisations are campaigning to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to secure Badawi’s release. We will not rest until he is free.

The deadline to register for this event has now been extended until next Wednesday 29th June. Those wanting to turn up on the door are also welcome, although it will take longer to get into the event.

Non-members are welcome.