Dialogue with boosting Saudi Arabia

The European Union should not sever ties with Saudi Arabia because of the human rights situation in the country.

" If we do not talk to Saudi Arabia, we can not change things, " Schulz said. " We have to keep the dialogue open and stepping up. "

The 31-year-old Badawi is the founder of the site Free Saudi Liberals when discussions are held about politics and religion. He was arrested in 2012 for insulting Islam and subsequently sentenced to a long prison sentence and a thousand lashes.

The prize for freedom of thought is linked to 50,000 euros.