I have received an email giving more information about the Saudi writer who is facing prosecution – and possible execution – for describing a Hadith of the Prophet as "barbaric". I reported the case here last month, but only the scantiest details were available at the time.

The writer concerned is Yahia al-Ameer, a columnist for al-Watan newspaper, and he has been ordered to appear at a court in Jeddah on 7 June to answer a charge of apostasy.

Amazingly, the "crime" was committed five years ago – in an interview with the American-run al-Hurra TV station when Ameer allegedly criticised a statement attributed to the Prophet Muhammad which is often regarded as misogynistic:

"After me, I have not left any affliction more harmful to men than women" (Sahih Bukhari 07:062:033).

The case appears to have been instigated by religious elements rather than directly by the Saudi authorities. However, a government-appointed cleric, Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullatif, has reportedly said that Ameer should be killed, even if he repents.

In 2006, Rebah Algwaie, a journalist and blogger, was sentenced to death for apostasy but later released on the orders of the king.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 5 April 2010.