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6 clusters · 47 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated
Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant
Overview
Sivarasa Anojan, a 27-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, is facing a death sentence following an appeal regarding social media comments deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. While initially sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 3 million Saudi Riyals by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court, an appellate court increased the sentence to capital punishment.
The conviction stems from a June social media dispute involving a video of a religious pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. Although Anojan deleted the Tamil-language comment and posted an apology, screenshots were used as evidence by his employer, Denys Arabia, which terminated his employment.
Sri Lankan authorities have been actively pursuing legal and diplomatic interventions. On October 8, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia O. L. Ameer Ajwad visited Anojan at Dammam Central Prison to assess his well-being. The ambassador reported that Anojan is in good health and has met with prison officials and medical staff to ensure proper care. The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to providing consular and legal support under the direction of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
On October 13, the Saudi Arabian Supreme Court overturned the death sentence imposed on Anojan. Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the decision, noting it followed intensive diplomatic and legal efforts. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Saudi authorities, describing the outcome as a ‘significant victory for the protection of Sri Lankan citizens working abroad.’ While the death penalty has been vacated, the legal status of his detention and the potential for further judicial proceedings remain unclear. Human Rights Watch had previously criticized the initial sentence, describing it as an ‘outrageous overreaction’ and calling for his immediate release.
Entities
Saudi Arabia · Sri Lanka · Anojan Sivarasa · Anura Kumara Dissanayake · Sivarasa Anojan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The Saudi Supreme Court overturned the death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant Anojan Sivarasa.
- [● 7 SOURCES] An appellate court accepted the prosecution's position and overturned the prison sentence to a death sentence.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Anojan Sivarasa was charged with insulting the Prophet Muhammad and disseminating material prejudicial to religious values.
- [● 10 SOURCES] The initial ruling by the Al-Ahsas Criminal Court included five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals.
- [● 9 SOURCES] An appellate court in Saudi Arabia found Anojan Sivarasa guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the reversal of the sentence.
- [● 8 SOURCES] The defendant's mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, has publicly pleaded for mercy for her son.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Saudi authorities have not released an official timeline for the execution.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Sivarasa's family has received no updates regarding his condition since September 28.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The defendant deleted the Facebook comment and posted an apology video shortly after the original post.
Timeline
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[INTERNATIONAL] 16 sourcesSaudi Arabia overturns death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted of blasphemy over a Facebook comment. The decision follows intensive diplomatic efforts.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 3 sourcesSri Lankan Ambassador visits detained citizen in Saudi prison
Sri Lankan Ambassador O. L. Ameer Ajwad visited Anojan Sivarasa in a Saudi Arabian prison. Sivarasa faces a death sentence over a social media post deemed insulting to Prophet Muhammad.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 12 sourcesSri Lankan migrant faces death penalty in Saudi Arabia over blasphemy charges
Sri Lankan migrant Anojan Sivarasa faces the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy after an appeal overturned his initial prison sentence. Sri Lanka is pursuing diplomatic and legal appeals.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 10 sourcesAnojan Sivarasa sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy
Sri Lankan migrant Anojan Sivarasa faces the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy following a Facebook comment. Sri Lankan officials are pursuing diplomatic efforts to overturn the sentence.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 4 sourcesMohamed Nasheed to assist in saving Sri Lankan man sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed will assist in humanitarian efforts to save Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan man sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for social media comments.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 13 sourcesSivarasa Anojan faces reported death sentence in Saudi Arabia
Sri Lankan migrant Sivarasa Anojan reportedly faces a death sentence in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy charges. Sri Lankan officials and MPs are seeking diplomatic intervention to appeal the ruling.
Sources
athavannews.com · balkanweb.com · battinaatham.net · battinews.com · brasilemfolhas.com.br · canaledieci.it · cnbcindonesia.com · diebewertung.de · english.gossiplankanews.com · fjala.al · frontpage.lk · global.liputan6.com · hindutamil.in · hrw.org · index.hr · kalmunainet.com · lankanewspapers.com · lankanewsweb.net · malaimurasu.com · malaysiaindru.my · mantovauno.it · me.mashable.com · meta.mk · mvlehti.net · nea.gov.cn · news18.com · newsmonkey.be · newswire.lk · orissapost.com · peopledaily.digital · radarmamuju.com · reddot.my · see.mv · srilankachronicle.com · stheadline.com · stiripesurse.ro · stophinduhate.org · subjekt.no · tamilminutes.com · tetova1.mk · timesng.com · tip.ba · ttv.com.tw · tuoitre.vn · tvsarawak.my · utrop.no · uzalendonews.co.ke
This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history