09/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU criticises confirmation of verdict on Saudi blogger Raif Badawi. On Monday 8 June, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini condemned the confirmation by the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sentencing the blogger Raif Badawi to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes. Mogherini's spokesperson reiterated that “corporal punishment is unacceptable and contrary to human dignity” and the spokesperson once again reiterated the EU's call to the Saudi authorities to suspend any further corporal punishment for Badawi. “We will continue to make every effort to engage the Saudi authorities in a dialogue on the need to recognise and respect freedom of speech for all, including those expressing dissenting opinion”, the spokesperson added. The Supreme Court's decision concludes the legal process and leaves no further avenues for appeal. (CG)