Grandfather escapes Saudi punishment after British intervention

A British grandfather, threatened with 350 lashes in Saudi Arabia for having homemade wine in his car, is now not expected to receive the punishment.

Downing Street’s intervened after pleas from the family of 74-year-old Karl Andree for British Prime Minister David Cameron to step in.

Adam Coogle from campaign group Human Rights Watch said the Saudis can be influenced these days, unlike in the past.

“Traditionally they have been pretty impervious but we have seen over the last few years the Saudis have actively been attempting to burnish their international image abroad,” Mr Coogle said.

I think that the UK government can play a very very positive role in convincing the Saudi authorities to halt these kinds of terrible punishments.”