Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was previously sentenced to 1,000 lashes after being convicted of insulting Islam, may now face death by beheading, his family fears.

According to a report published on The Telegraph, Badawi's family said he has already been sentenced to public flogging and 10 years in prison, and could also be tried for apostasy which carries the death penalty.

The blogger's case attracted worldwide condemnation when he was publicly flogged in January.

"Apostasy charge is punishable under Saudi law with the death penalty by beheading," his family said in a message posted on Facebook.

"We also received confirmed information that the Supreme Court has referred Raif's case to the same judge, who sentenced Raif with flogging and 10 years imprisonment. This judge is biased against Raif," they added.

Thirty-one-year-old Badawi received the first 50 lashes in January, however the rest of his lashes have been postponed due to the injuries he suffered.

Along with a fine of £175,000, Badawi was given a jail sentence after he was convicted of insulting Islam on a liberal online forum created by him.

Badawi's family also said he could not originally be charged with apostasy (abandoning his faith) as the criminal court could not act upon crimes that hold the death penalty. However, this changed after a new regulation was passed last year.

The family also asked if Badawi could be pardoned and allowed to travel to Canada, where his wife and three children are currently living.

"We call on the world citizens and governments not to leave Raif dragged by such bigots to death," they added.

Although death penalty is the standard punishment for apostasy in Muslim countries, it is rarely executed, even in Saudi Arabia which carries out these sentences on a regular basis.