A 74-year-old British grandfather has been sentences to 350 lases in Saudi Arabia for making his own wine.
Karl Andree was jailed for 12 months after he was caught with illegal alcohol.
His family said that he may not survive the physical punishment that is attributed to his custodial term and have called on the British Government to intervene for his safety.
Mr Andree’s younger son Simon told said: ‘Until his arrest, he has always been happy working there and felt safe.
‘He is 74 years of age, has had cancer three times and his wife is dying in a home in the UK.’
‘He now needs medical care for his cancer and asthma, and there is no doubt in our mind that 350 lashes will kill him,’ Simon told The Sun.
The grandfather of seven has resided in the Middle East for the past 25 years after he worked in the oil industry.
He was arrested in Jeddah in August last year after bottles of hooch were discovered by police, according to the newspaper.
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.’
