Key facts
- Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy.
- The conviction stems from a Facebook comment made in response to a dispute on social media.
- Sivarasa's sentence was increased from five years imprisonment to death by an appellate court.
- Sri Lankan government officials and civil society groups are actively pursuing diplomatic channels for clemency.
- Human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about severe sentences for online speech in Saudi Arabia.
A Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, faces execution in Saudi Arabia after an appellate court found him guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over a comment made on Facebook. The 24-year-old's case has drawn significant attention in Sri Lanka, prompting pleas for mercy from his family and coordinated diplomatic efforts by the government and civil society.
Sivarasa's legal troubles began in July following an online dispute in Sri Lanka that escalated to religious arguments. A user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, to which Sivarasa responded with an insult directed at the Prophet Muhammad. Although he deleted the comment and posted an apology video, screenshots were shared with his employer and Saudi officials, leading to his arrest.
Initially, the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court sentenced Sivarasa to five years in prison and a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals. However, Saudi prosecutors appealed for his case to be tried under Sharia law, a request granted by the appellate court, which then imposed the death penalty. The family has not received updates on his condition since September 28, and Saudi authorities have not published an execution timeline, a practice that has historically involved informing relatives only after an execution.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured the family of government efforts to secure a pardon, and a legal delegation is traveling to Saudi Arabia to meet with local defense lawyers. Religious leaders from Buddhist and Hindu communities have also submitted a memorandum to the Presidential Secretariat urging state intervention.
Human rights organizations have previously highlighted concerns regarding severe penalties for online speech in Saudi Arabia. In July 2023, Mohammed Al Ghamdi, a retired Saudi teacher, was sentenced to death for social media comments, though his sentence was later overturned to 30 years in prison. Rights groups also note that low-wage migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, numbering over 10 million, face particular vulnerabilities due to language barriers and limited access to legal representation.