Victim of hypocrites

THE Middle East is a black spot for free speech. Its countries come near the bottom in rankings of press freedom, and most criminalise blasphemy and apostasy (renouncing Islam). But even by such dismal standards, Saudi Arabia stands out. Penalties for transgressing its religious and political strictures, even in word, include hefty fines and jail sentences, beatings and beheadings. Human Rights Watch, a monitoring group, notes a surge in executions since August. By some counts at least ten people have been put to death so far this year.

Has the kingdom finally gone a step too far? On January 16th the authorities said they would delay the second round of lashes for Raif Badawi, found guilty last year of insulting Islam on his blog. His calls for greater liberty in politics and religion earned him a large fine, ten years in jail and 1,000 lashes, to be administered weekly, 50 at a time. A charge of apostasy, which carries the death sentence, was dropped.