Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to Islam and Prophet Muhammad. Sri Lanka's government confirmed the reversal on Wednesday, but authorities have not clarified whether he will be released or face further proceedings.
Court Decision Announced
Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra announced the decision on social media, saying the court set aside the sentence on 13 October. He thanked Saudi authorities, Sri Lankan officials, and the legal teams on both sides. The worker had been sentenced to death last month, and reports carried no public comment from Saudi authorities.
Background of the Case
In late June, a video circulated online showing a man kicking a dog as he followed Hindu pilgrims, triggering religious arguments on social media. During one exchange, another user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, and Sivarasa replied in Tamil with a comment deemed insulting to the Prophet. He deleted it promptly and posted an apology video, but a screenshot reached his employer and Saudi officials, leading to his arrest in July.
According to Human Rights Watch, Sivarasa had arrived in Saudi Arabia only 10 months earlier to work in construction. The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court first sentenced him to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals. On 17 September, the Court of Appeal in the Eastern Region found him guilty of blasphemy and imposed the death sentence.
Diplomatic and Legal Efforts
The case alarmed Sri Lanka, where civil society groups mobilised and the government pursued clemency through diplomatic channels. Sri Lankan and Saudi lawyers, working with the Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh, filed an appeal with the Supreme Court on 11 October. The ambassador also visited Sivarasa in Dammam Central Prison.
According to BBC, Faizer Mustafa, a Sri Lankan lawmaker involved in the legal negotiations, confirmed the ruling and said the team was studying it. Human Rights Watch had urged Saudi authorities to quash the sentence. Its Saudi Arabia researcher, Joey Shea, called on the kingdom to stop using abusive laws to impose extraordinary sentences for speech offences, particularly on migrant workers, who have limited protections.
Unresolved Status
Sivarasa's legal situation remains unresolved. Officials have not said whether there will be further proceedings, or whether he will stay in detention and for how long. His family said they had had no direct contact with him since 28 September.
