(CNN)The
crime is related to homemade wine. But can 74-year-old Karl Andree
survive the punishment -- 360 lashes by Saudi authorities?
His
son fears that he won't, conceding that while Andree may have done
wrong in the eyes of Saudi officials, it shouldn't warrant what may
amount to a death sentence.
"I
completely understand that he has committed a crime and, for that, you
have to face consequences ... He understands as well," Simon Andree told
CNN. "But ... on the basis of his ill health, (I hope) he can get
clemency and get released, because I feel he won't survive those
lashes."
Alcohol -- like narcotics,
weapons, pork and pornography -- are prohibited in Saudi Arabia, in line
with the Middle Eastern nation's strict Wahhabi interpretation of
Islam. And it's what got Karl Andree in trouble, for transporting
homemade wine in his car.
The British grandfather has since spent more than a year in custody.
Simon
Andree acknowledges the Saudi law in this case. But he also appealed
for authorities there to take into account his father's physical
condition.
"He's an old man," the son said.
British leader writes to Saudi authorities about case
The
Andree family got support Tuesday from British Prime Minister David
Cameron, whose office signaled Tuesday that he will reach out to Saudi
officials.
"Given the ongoing concerns
and the fact we would like to see more progress, the PM is writing today
to the Saudis to further raise the case on the back of the action that
has already been taken by the Foreign Office," a spokesperson for
Cameron's office said.
In another
development, UK Secretary of Justice Michael Gove announced Tuesday that
his government would withdraw its $9 million (£5.9 million) for
training related to the Saudi penal system. The contract was submitted
by the commercial arm of the British Ministry of Justice in August 2014,
the same month Andree was arrested.
British authorities didn't tie this development with Andree.
Yet
a spokesperson for the Foreign Office did say that diplomats have been
involved in his case for some time, 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," the spokesperson said. "And we are actively seeking his
release as soon as possible."
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