Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence of Sri Lankan worker accused of blasphemy over Facebook comment
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Sri Lankan Hindu migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, 24, over a Facebook comment deemed blasphemous. The ruling follows diplomatic and legal efforts by Sri Lanka, including appeals from lawmakers and religious leaders.
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan Hindu migrant worker, on October 13, following extensive diplomatic and legal efforts by Sri Lanka. The decision came after Sivarasa was sentenced to death in July for a Facebook comment deemed blasphemous to Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
The case gained attention after a video of a Hindu pilgrim kicking a dog circulated online, sparking heated online exchanges. Sivarasa responded to the criticism with a comment about Prophet Muhammad, which led to his arrest and imprisonment in Saudi Arabia. Despite initial sentences of five years in prison and a fine, the case escalated when the Court of Appeal sentenced him to death under Sharia law.
Diplomatic intervention, including a visit from Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Dammam Central Prison and appeals from Sri Lankan lawmakers, religious leaders, and the Sri Lankan government, played a crucial role in securing Sivarasa's release.
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