Saudi Court Overturns Sri Lankan Worker’s Death Sentence Over Facebook Comment

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence imposed on a Sri Lankan migrant worker over a Facebook comment, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said on Wednesday.

Anojan Sivarasa, 27, had been sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over a comment posted on Facebook.

The case prompted diplomatic efforts by Sri Lankan authorities seeking clemency for Sivarasa.

Hemachandra announced the Supreme Court’s decision on Facebook and thanked Saudi and Sri Lankan authorities and legal teams involved in the case. Sri Lankan lawmaker Faizer Mustafa, who was involved in legal discussions, also confirmed the decision to BBC Sinhala, according to reports.

The case began after footage circulated online in late June showing a Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims, triggering religious arguments on social media.

After another user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, Sivarasa responded in Tamil with an insulting comment about the Prophet Muhammad. He later deleted the post and issued an apology video, but a screenshot was reportedly brought to the attention of his employer and Saudi authorities. He was arrested in July.

Sivarasa was initially sntenced by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals, approximately US$800,000. The case later reached an appellate court, which imposed the death sentence.

It remains unclear whether further proceedings will take place, whether the original prison sentence or fine will apply, or how long Sivarasa will remain in detention.

Legal teams are reportedly reviewing the Supreme Court ruling to determine its implications and the next steps in the case.

Source: BBC