Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant

Saudi Supreme Court death sentence overturned Sri Lankan migrant worker blasphemy laws diplomatic negotiations

The Saudi Arabian Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence imposed on Anojan Sivarasa, a 27-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker. Sivarasa had been convicted of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad following a Facebook comment made during a religious debate online in late June.

Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the decision, attributing the outcome to sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by both nations. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also welcomed the ruling, expressing gratitude to Saudi authorities and reaffirming the government's commitment to protecting citizens working abroad.

The legal case began after Sivarasa responded to a social media exchange in Tamil. Although he deleted the comment and posted an apology video, authorities were alerted via a screenshot. Sivarasa was initially sentenced by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals before an appellate court escalated the penalty to death. It remains unclear if further legal proceedings will occur or how long he will remain in detention.

Entities

Anojan Sivarasa · Anura Kumara Dissanayake · Arun Hemachandra · Human Rights Watch · Saudi Arabia · Saudi Supreme Court · Sri Lanka

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Human Rights Watch criticized the use of blasphemy laws and called for the immediate release of the worker. www.hrw.org · tetova1.mk · www.balkanweb.com · www.index.hr
[● 9 SOURCES] Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the reversal of the sentence. tetova1.mk · www.balkanweb.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · peopledaily.digital · uzalendonews.co.ke · +3 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The initial ruling by the Al-Ahsas Criminal Court included five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals. tetova1.mk · www.balkanweb.com · www.hrw.org · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · peopledaily.digital · +4 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The Saudi Supreme Court overturned the death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant Anojan Sivarasa. tetova1.mk · www.balkanweb.com · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · peopledaily.digital · uzalendonews.co.ke · +3 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Anojan Sivarasa was charged with insulting the Prophet Muhammad and disseminating material prejudicial to religious values. www.hrw.org · tetova1.mk · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · peopledaily.digital · uzalendonews.co.ke · +4 more