( CNN ) -- Australia appealed for leniency after one of its citizens was sentenced Wednesday to 500 lashes and a year in prison by a Saudi Arabian court . Mansor Almaribe , 45 , was found guilty of blasphemy after he was arrested last month in Medina while on a pilgrimage , Australian officials said . It 's unclear what Almaribe , a Shia Muslim from Victoria state , said or did to get arrested . `` The ambassador has urgently contacted Saudi authorities and will make strong representations , including to key figures in the Saudi government , seeking leniency , '' said Kate Sieper , a foreign affairs spokeswoman . Family members said they are worried about his health . `` He is sick , and he has back injuries and he has diabetes , '' his son , Issam Almaribe , told CNN affiliate 9 News Australia . Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesman Usama Al-Nugali said that the court system has an appeal process that Almaribe can resort to . `` We do n't comment on court decisions or legal procedures . However , any court pleading , primary and judicial decisions could be appealed in the appeals court . All individuals have the right for a defense attorney , including non-Saudis who also enjoy the right of the presence of their diplomatic mission , '' he said . Consular officials have contacted Almaribe several times by phone since his arrest in mid-November , and were in the courtroom during the reading of the verdict . Australian officials said they were informed he was convicted of blasphemy and `` making comments insulting to prophet Mohammed 's relatives . '' His sentence was originally two years imprisonment along with the 500 lashes , but the court reduced the sentence by a year , consular officials said . It was unclear when the lashing punishment will be carried out . Blasphemy is punishable by up to a death sentence under the strict Muslim law in Saudi Arabia . CNN 's Mohammed Jamjoom contributed to this report .
NEW : Saudi spokesman says there is an appeal process that can be used . Australian Mansor Ali , 45 , was found guilty of murder . Family members say they are worried about his family . Australian ambassador ` ` has urgently contacted Saudi authorities ''