Saudi blogger and activist Raif Badawi was released after spending ten years in jail for advocating an end to the influence of religion in public life in Saudi Arabia, where he was detained, his wife said on Friday.
“Raif called me, he is free,” Ensaf Haidar told AFP after announcing the news on Twitter.
Haidar, who became a Canadian citizen, lives in Quebec with her three children. Every Friday for almost seven years, she held a public vigil for Badawi in Canada.
The blogger’s release was also confirmed by a Saudi security official, who said on condition of anonymity that Badawi “was released today.”
The winner of the Reporters Without Borders award for press freedom was arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia in 2012 on charges of “insulting Islam”, and in late 2014 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
As a result, the 38-year-old man became a symbol of freedom of expression Worldwide.
No details were immediately available on the conditions of his release, including a possible 10-year travel ban.
Amnesty International said in an email to AFP that it would “actively work to have the restrictions lifted”.
“Raif Badawi, human rights defender in Saudi Arabia, has finally been released!” the humanitarian association tweeted.
The Canadian province of Quebec has paved the way for Raif Badawi to travel to the country if he wishes, by placing him on a priority list of potential immigrants on humanitarian grounds.