Saudi Arabia urged to spare man sentenced to death over Facebook post
Summary
A Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, faces the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for a post on Facebook that was considered blasphemous against Islam. His family and the Sri Lankan government are working through diplomatic and legal channels to try to save his life.Key Facts
- Anojan Sivarasa, 24, was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a Facebook comment.
- The comment followed a heated online argument related to a religious incident in Sri Lanka during a Hindu pilgrimage.
- Anojan deleted the comment and apologized, but screenshots were sent to his employer and Saudi authorities, leading to his arrest.
- Initially, he was sentenced to five years in prison and fined about $800,000, but this was changed to the death penalty after prosecution appealed for Sharia law to apply.
- Anojan’s family has not heard from him since 28 September, and Saudi authorities have not announced when the sentence might be carried out.
- The Sri Lankan government and multiple political and religious groups are actively seeking clemency and trying to secure a pardon.
- A Sri Lankan legal team is traveling to Saudi Arabia to work with local lawyers on Anojan’s defense.
- Saudi Arabia has a history of executing prisoners without prior notice to families or embassies.
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