( CNN ) -- Saudi Arabia 's King Abdullah has been called `` The King of Hearts '' by many of his countrymen , referring to what they believe are his compassionate attempts to reform his ultra-conservative kingdom . He used his power Monday to overturn a criminal court sentence of 60 lashes and a two-year travel ban imposed on female journalist Rosanna al-Yami . Under the travel ban , she could not have left Saudi Arabia . Al-Yami was sentenced for her work on an episode of the television show `` A Thick Red Line '' that featured a Saudi man who bragged about sexual escapades . The controversial show explores social taboos . It is carried by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. , for which al-Yami works as a coordinator and guest booker . `` King Abdullah 's swift revocation of this punishment sends an important notice to the Saudi judicial system that it should not go after journalists for exercising free speech , '' said Sarah Leah Whitson , Middle East director for Human Rights Watch . `` King Abdullah should also overturn the sentence against the man at the center of the case , who had spoken about sex on a television show , and initiate reforms to strengthen the rights to freedom of expression and to a fair trial , '' Human Rights Watch said in a written statement . In the episode , the Saudi man , Mazen Abdul Jawad , 32 , bragged about his sex life . Saudi authorities put him on trial and sentenced him to five years in prison and 1,000 lashes . Shortly afterward , the court sentenced al-Yami . Jawad 's attorney , Suleiman al-Jumeii , said al-Yami was not involved in setting up the episode in which his client appeared . The lawyer said he is attempting to pursue an appeal for his client and get the case heard in a special court that deals only with media matters . `` A Thick Red Line '' caused an uproar in deeply conservative Saudi Arabia , where sharia , or Islamic law , is practiced . Pre-marital sex is illegal , and unrelated men and women are not permitted to mingle . Saudi authorities shut down Lebanese Broadcasting 's offices in Jeddah and Riyadh after the interview aired a few months ago . The king 's pardon of al-Yami was unusual , but it was not the first time he has stepped in . In late 2007 , the king pardoned a woman who , although she had been gang-raped , was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison for appearing in public with an unrelated male , who also was pardoned , according to the Saudi justice minister . The king concluded in a letter pardoning the woman that her male companion , who was abducted along with her , had suffered torture along with her . Details of what happened to the two were not disclosed . Octavia Nasr , senior editor for Middle East affairs , contributed to this report .
Saudi king overturns journalist 's sentence of 500 lashes , two - year media ban . Female journalist worked on controversial TV show on sexual harassment . Saudi man was sentenced to five years in prison , 500 lashes for his role in show . Human Rights Watch.calls on King Abdullah to overturn that sentence too .