Home / Crime and Justice / Saudi Court Frees Sri Lankan on Blasphemy Charge
Saudi Court Frees Sri Lankan on Blasphemy Charge
14 Oct
Summary
- Saudi Supreme Court overturned death sentence for alleged blasphemy.
- Sri Lankan worker faced death for a Facebook post insulting Islam.
- Diplomatic efforts by Sri Lanka secured the worker's release.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has overturned the death sentence issued against a Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, for alleged blasphemy. The verdict, announced on Wednesday, followed intense diplomatic engagement by the Sri Lankan government to secure his release.
Sivarasa, 27, had been sentenced to death last month after a Facebook post he made was deemed blasphemous towards Islam. He had since deleted the comment and offered an apology. However, complaints led to his arrest in July, and after an initial five-year prison sentence and fine, an appellate court escalated the punishment to death.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation to the Saudi Arabian government for the outcome. The case had caused significant concern in Sri Lanka, prompting thorough diplomatic efforts and pleas from Sivarasa's family. Sivarasa had been working in Saudi Arabia for approximately nine months prior to his arrest.
