For the first time in years, the wife of Raif Badawi has hope. For the first time since his imprisonment, the blogger's name has appeared on a list in Saudi Arabia of those expected to receive a royal pardon.
Ensaf Haidar believes this time, with Crown prince Mohammad bin Salman consolodating power and instituting reforms to the nation, her husband's imprisonment -- already having lasted five years and six months -- could finally end.
Following Badawi's imprisonment, accused of insulting Islam using his blog that sometimes was critical of the Crown family, Haidar fled to Canada.
She has been a refugee in Sherbrooke with her three children since 2011.
She said on Thursday she did not know how many people were on the official pardons list, and when it might be Raïf Badawi's turn to benefit from this clemency.
Global Affairs Canada has not responded to requests for clarification from The Canadian Press.