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| UK pensioner Karl Andree faces 360 lashes over Saudi wine | UK pensioner Karl Andree faces 360 lashes over Saudi wine |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A UK pensioner caught with homemade wine in Saudi Arabia could receive 360 lashes - a punishment his family say would kill him. | A UK pensioner caught with homemade wine in Saudi Arabia could receive 360 lashes - a punishment his family say would kill him. |
| Karl Andree, 74, has already spent more than a year in prison since being arrested by Saudi religious police. | Karl Andree, 74, has already spent more than a year in prison since being arrested by Saudi religious police. |
| His daughter Kirsten Piroth told the BBC her father - who has suffered from three types of cancer - "would not survive" the punishment lashes. | His daughter Kirsten Piroth told the BBC her father - who has suffered from three types of cancer - "would not survive" the punishment lashes. |
| The Foreign Office said it was "seeking his release as soon as possible". | The Foreign Office said it was "seeking his release as soon as possible". |
| Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia and Mrs Piroth said her father was transporting homemade wine in his car in August 2014 when he was pulled over and arrested. | |
| 'Not very well' | 'Not very well' |
| Mr Andree's one-year prison sentence is now complete and Mrs Piroth said her family had been "led to believe" the lashes would not be given due to her father's age and health. | |
| But she said there now "seems to be some question mark" over that. | But she said there now "seems to be some question mark" over that. |
| "He's an old man, he's 74, he's survived three types of cancer with very strong cancer treatments, he's asthmatic, he has gout - he's not very well," she said. | "He's an old man, he's 74, he's survived three types of cancer with very strong cancer treatments, he's asthmatic, he has gout - he's not very well," she said. |
| "He's got a great spirit but his bodily health is not great and I just feel like he received his sentence and he did his time and I just want him home now." | "He's got a great spirit but his bodily health is not great and I just feel like he received his sentence and he did his time and I just want him home now." |
| She said time was "of the essence" due to her father's age, adding that he had "paid for what he did" in Saudi Arabia and should now be released. | She said time was "of the essence" due to her father's age, adding that he had "paid for what he did" in Saudi Arabia and should now be released. |
| Asked if she was happy with the help given by UK authorities, she said: "I don't really understand why it's taking so long because it's my understanding in that system that it needs... a phone call to the right person and he could be released." | Asked if she was happy with the help given by UK authorities, she said: "I don't really understand why it's taking so long because it's my understanding in that system that it needs... a phone call to the right person and he could be released." |
| Mr Andree's son Simon told the BBC his father had "enjoyed living in Saudi Arabia for 25 years and has been very happy there". | |
| He said he understood the laws and regretted what had happened. | |
| "But he should be released," he said. "My mother has dementia and is deteriorating quite rapidly and my father really wants to come back and see her." | |
| 'Severe' punishments | 'Severe' punishments |
| A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our embassy staff are continuing to assist Mr Andree, including regular visits to check on his welfare, and frequent contact with his lawyer and family. | A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our embassy staff are continuing to assist Mr Andree, including regular visits to check on his welfare, and frequent contact with his lawyer and family. |
| "Ministers and senior officials have raised Mr Andree's case with the Saudi government and we are actively seeking his release as soon as possible." | "Ministers and senior officials have raised Mr Andree's case with the Saudi government and we are actively seeking his release as soon as possible." |
| The Foreign Office website warns that penalties for possessing alcohol in Saudi Arabia are "severe". | The Foreign Office website warns that penalties for possessing alcohol in Saudi Arabia are "severe". |
| It also warns of Saudi laws against women driving, adultery, homosexuality and drug smuggling - with the last punishable by death. | It also warns of Saudi laws against women driving, adultery, homosexuality and drug smuggling - with the last punishable by death. |
| Last month Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on UK Prime Minister David Cameron to press Saudi authorities to reduce the sentence of a protester sentenced to death in the country. | Last month Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on UK Prime Minister David Cameron to press Saudi authorities to reduce the sentence of a protester sentenced to death in the country. |
| Meanwhile, Tuesday's Times reports a disagreement in the UK cabinet over a £5.9m deal to provide "training-needs analysis" to the Saudi penal system. | Meanwhile, Tuesday's Times reports a disagreement in the UK cabinet over a £5.9m deal to provide "training-needs analysis" to the Saudi penal system. |
| According to the newspaper, Justice Secretary Michael Gove wants to "pull out of the agreement" because he believes the government should not assist a regime that uses beheading, stoning, crucifixion and lashing as punishments. | According to the newspaper, Justice Secretary Michael Gove wants to "pull out of the agreement" because he believes the government should not assist a regime that uses beheading, stoning, crucifixion and lashing as punishments. |
| Do you live in Saudi Arabia? What is your reaction to this story? Share your comments. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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