Sri Lankan migrant faces death penalty in Saudi Arabia over blasphemy charges

blasphemy charges death penalty migrant worker Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka

Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, faces the death penalty following an appeal by Saudi prosecutors. Sivarasa was initially sentenced to five years in prison and a 3 million riyal fine for blasphemy charges related to Facebook comments made during a religious dispute in Sri Lanka. The prosecution successfully appealed to have the case tried under Sharia law rather than cybercrime laws, resulting in the death sentence.

Sivarasa's family reported they have been unable to contact him since September 28. The Sri Lankan government has intensified legal and diplomatic efforts to secure his release or a pardon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged to pursue diplomatic channels for clemency, and a four-person legal delegation from Sri Lanka is traveling to Saudi Arabia to coordinate with local lawyers for an appeal.

Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sivarasa, arguing that the charges stem from his right to freedom of expression. Religious leaders in Sri Lanka have also petitioned the government for urgent intervention.

Entities

Al-Ahsa Criminal Court · Amnesty International · Anojan Sivarasa · Anura Kumara Dissanayake · Denys Arabia · Saudi Arabia · Sri Lanka

Claims

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

[● 6 SOURCES] Anojan Sivarasa's family reported they have been unable to contact him since September 28. reddot.my · www.liputan6.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.stheadline.com · www.stiripesurse.ro · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court initially sentenced Anojan Sivarasa to five years in prison and a 3 million riyal fine. reddot.my · www.liputan6.com · www.stheadline.com · frontpage.lk · www.cnbcindonesia.com · +4 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the family and pledged to pursue a pardon via diplomatic channels. www.liputan6.com · www.stheadline.com · reddot.my · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.stiripesurse.ro · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Anojan Sivarasa posted comments in Tamil on Facebook that were considered insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. reddot.my · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.stheadline.com · me.mashable.com · frontpage.lk
[● 5 SOURCES] A four-person legal delegation from Sri Lanka is traveling to Saudi Arabia to coordinate with local lawyers for an appeal. reddot.my · www.liputan6.com · www.stheadline.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.stiripesurse.ro
[● 7 SOURCES] Saudi Arabian prosecutors appealed to have the case tried under Sharia law instead of cybercrime laws. reddot.my · www.liputan6.com · www.stheadline.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.stiripesurse.ro · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] An appellate court accepted the prosecution's position and overturned the prison sentence to a death sentence. reddot.my · www.liputan6.com · www.stheadline.com · www.cnbcindonesia.com · www.stiripesurse.ro · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Anojan Sivarasa was fired from his job at Denys Arabia following the controversy. me.mashable.com