Mohamed Nasheed to assist in saving Sri Lankan man sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has pledged to assist in a humanitarian effort to save Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan citizen sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

Anojan was arrested for posting comments about a dog on Facebook. While initially sentenced to five years in prison and a fine under the Cybercrime Act, prosecutors appealed the case under Islamic Sharia, resulting in a death sentence by an appeals court. Nasheed stated that while the actions were unacceptable, he would support efforts to save Anojan on humanitarian grounds.

Two Sri Lankan lawyers, Faiszer Musthapha and Upul Kumarapperuma, met with Nasheed in the Maldives to discuss intervention. The lawyers intend to travel to Saudi Arabia at their own expense to work with local legal representatives.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that the government will cover all formal legal expenses because Anojan is registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. Additionally, a parliamentary delegation is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to deliver a special letter of apology from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.