07 December 2011 | 05:21:12 PM | Source: AAP
Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of Islam. (AAP)
An Australian man has been sentenced to 500 lashes and a year in jail in Saudi Arabia, with his family fearing he won't survive the punishment.
Mansor Almaribe, from the Victorian town of Shepparton, was found guilty of blasphemy by a Saudi Arabian court on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old father of five was arrested in the city of Medina on November 14 while making the Hajj pilgrimage and accused of insulting companions of the prophet Mohammed.
It has been reported he had been reading and praying in a group when accosted by religious police and arrested.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman told AAP the government was "very concerned" about Mr Almaribe's wellbeing and condemned the use of such punishment.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd was keeping in close contact with the Australian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, the spokeswoman said.
"The ambassador has urgently contacted Saudi authorities and will make strong representations, including to several key figures in the Saudi government, seeking leniency," the spokeswoman told AAP.
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