{
  "id": 14440910,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence of Sri Lankan worker accused of blasphemy over Facebook comment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/saudi-arabia-overturns-death-sentence-of-sri-lankan-worker-accused-of",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-14T11:45:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-overturns-death-sentence-of-sri-lankan-worker-accused-of-blasphemy-over-facebook-comment-11791975269039.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saudi Supreme Court overturns death sentence of Anojan Sivarasa",
    "Sivarasa, 24, Sri Lankan Hindu migrant worker, sentenced for Facebook comment",
    "Diplomatic efforts, including Sri Lankan Ambassador's visit, secure release"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}