OTTAWA -- Supporters of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi found themselves up against closed doors at Saudi Arabia's embassy in Ottawa Monday as they tried to deliver 31,000 letters calling for his release.
Badawi, whose wife and three children live in Quebec, was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for his criticism of Saudi clerics.
Demonstrators gathered to hand over the letters and petitions, which come from about 20 different countries, primarily Canada.
But unlike the first time they tried something similar earlier in the year, Saudi officials wouldn't open the door.
Amnesty International says the timing was deliberate, with a new Liberal government to be sworn in on Wednesday.
Badawi's wife, Ensfar Haidar, says she would like prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau to work to end her husband's detention and help him return to Canada.
