Would Canadian Citizenship Free Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi?

This story published by Deutsche Welle is by Jennifer Holleis, Kersten Knipp. Here is an excerpt:

There is new momentum within Canada toward offering citizenship to the dissident Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, which would in theory grant him new legal protections in his home country, where he has been imprisoned since 2012. In 2014, Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison, including the time already served, 1,000 lashes and a $266,000 fine for hosting a blog that was critical of aspects of the Saudi regime.

Ensaf Haidar, Badawi’s wife, fled Saudi Arabia to Egypt with their three children before his arrest in 2012 and then in 2014 to Canada, where they were granted citizenship.

Giving Badawi citizenship, as well, would increase Canada’s leverage, as officials would be able to formally demand the return of a citizen and he would be granted access to consular services in Saudi Arabia.

Here is the link to the full article.