Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for man over Facebook comment, Sri Lanka says

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, 27, who was convicted of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad after making a Facebook comment, according to Colombo’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra. Sivarasa was initially sentenced to death in September by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia. The case sparked diplomatic efforts to seek clemency in Sri Lanka.

Following the overturning of the death sentence, Sivarasa was released on Wednesday. He had received a five-year prison sentence and a three million Saudi riyals ($0.8 million; £0.6 million) fine. The controversy began when footage of a Muslim man kicking a dog near Hindu pilgrims went viral on social media, leading to religious arguments.

Sivarasa responded to a derogatory remark about a Hindu deity in Tamil, insulting the Prophet Muhammad. He later deleted the comment and posted an apology video, but the screenshot was discovered by his employer and Saudi officials, resulting in his arrest in July. It is unclear if there will be further legal proceedings or how long Sivarasa will remain in detention.