Granddad facing 350 lashes for having wine to be released from Saudi prison and ‘rebuild life in Clapham’

A British granddad of seven who was facing 350 deadly lashes for possessing alcohol in Saudi Arabia will be released within a week, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said.

Karl Andree, 74, who has battled bladder and colon cancer, was imprisoned last August for possession of homemade wine.

Mr Hammond, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, expressed his delight on Twitter at the outcome.

Delighted to announce Brit Karl Andree will be released from Saudi custody within a week & reunited with his family. pic.twitter.com/TyuJ1RN55Y

— Philip Hammond (@PHammondMP) October 28, 2015

He tweeted: “Delighted to announce Brit Karl Andree will be released from Saudi custody within a week & reunited with his family.”

Mr Andree’s son Simon told SW Londoner two weeks ago that he would like his father to live with them in their Clapham family home upon his release.