In August 2014, a British pensioner named Karl Andree was arrested in Jeddah after bottles of homemade wine were discovered in the back of his car. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 378 lashes by a Saudi court, however after he had served the prison time he was kept behind bars while authorities decided whether to carry out the physical punishment on the 74-year old.
In October 2015 the British newspaper The Sun revealed the story to the British public, causing immediate outrage. Petitions were signed and eventually the British government intervened and secured his release. This week he arrived back in the UK and was reunited with his family.
While the support for Andree was overwhelming, there were a number of people who did not feel much sympathy for the Brit. Here is a Twitter timeline highlighting some key moments, and how people reacted:
TheSun reveals the 74-year old is fashing 378 lashes, and pleas for clemency start rolling in
@KingSalman please spare British grandfather Karl Andree of 350 lashes and cut it down to 75. i ask as someone who made your father laugh.
— james (@fings007) October 14, 2015Imagine if this was your father.@David_Cameron: Intervene and stop Brit grandfather Karl Andree receiving 350 lashes https://t.co/nCvGMgqZPP
— Joanna Montgomery (@joannamont) October 15, 2015
However not everyone is sympathetic to his case
I'm sorry #KarlAndree, but part of living in a country is you sort of have to live by their rules.
— Lee Cherry (@LeeCherry1980) October 14, 2015To expats objecting to Karl Andree's sentence:We will not alter our legal system or ignore our beliefs so you feel @ home Don't feel @ home
— محمد س. الفوزان (@msalfozan) November 1, 2015
Some even try to highlight British hypocrisy in caring about this case while ignoring so many others
UK Urges #Saudis to Free Grandfather Facing 350 Lashes http://t.co/tVvWjBmgeN When it's a rich white man in trouble, *then* they complain
— Comrade Charley (@ComradeCharley) October 15, 2015This one was easy to call: Britain wakes up to Saudi penal cruelty when one of its own nationals gets involved http://t.co/k4vxD2Kd7f
— Evan Hill (@evanchill) October 14, 2015
News breaks that he is due to be released, leading to praise and excitement
I am so pleased Karl Andree is being released from Saudi Arabia. His family should be very proud of themselves. Well done. #freekarlandree
— Neil Harper (@Neil_H_1984) October 29, 2015
But still there are those who do not feel sorry for Andree
Briton Karl Andree 'to be released from Saudi prison'. Sorry - no sympathy. When in Rome ... https://t.co/mgQS4VvV4j
— David Clifford (@davideclifford) October 29, 2015So Karl Andree chooses to live in Saudi and to ignore their laws & as he's white British we get him released? No cause for celebration IMHO
— David Ronaldson (@StevenageDave) October 28, 2015
This week he arrived back in the UK, and people express their joy at the news
Well Done everyone!! Lashes grandad Karl Andree lands in UK after Saudi prison hell https://t.co/3t1Jm7PBLu via @UKChange
— stuart marshall (@stuartart999) November 11, 2015#KarlAndree welcome home back where you belong in a safe loving environment @UKChange
— Jas (@JRaiofficial) November 11, 2015
However there are still those who feel that he should have faced his punishment
Briton who faced flogging in Saudi Arabia returns to UK https://t.co/wjbXFlWRXN - I'm fed up with arrogant Britons being bailed-out by UK PM
— Ian @ Wayward Lad (@wayward_lad) November 11, 2015By Kane Hippisley-Gatherum
