Saudi journalist to be lashed in public

A Saudi journalist has been sentenced to be whipped in public after being convicted of "instigating protests" against a government electricity company following a series of power cuts. Fahd Al Jukhaidib , a journalist with the daily newspaper, Aljazierah , must serve two months in prison and suffer 50 lashes with the whip, including 25 lashes in public, in front of the electricity department. Al Jukaidib was accused of leading a group of residents who live in the town of Qubba, in the central Saudi province of Qaseem, to the department two years ago to demand action over power cuts. A few days later, the company yielded to their demands and sent seven additional power generators to the town. According an online newspaper, Ajel, Jukhaidib explained: "The problem was over but I was later summoned by police, who charged me of instigating protests. I was then referred to court, which has just sentenced me... "I will see a lawyer to appeal this sentence because the charge has no basis... I did not incite the residents. They only asked me to come with them and talk to the power company... there was no protest and everything was done peacefully." Source: Emirates 24/7