A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook post considered blasphemous. The incident began after religious tensions flared on social media in Sri Lanka, with a video showing a Muslim man kicking a dog during a Hindu pilgrimage triggering heated arguments online. Sivarasa responded in Tamil with a comment insulting Prophet Muhammad, which he quickly deleted and followed up with a video apologizing for it.
Despite his apology, Sivarasa was arrested in July, and his phones and electronic devices were seized. His social media accounts were also removed by Saudi officials. His brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, explained that individuals in Sri Lanka sent emails to the company where his brother worked, which led to his arrest. The case was initially sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals, but Saudi prosecutors appealed for a harsher punishment.
The appellate court agreed to hear the case under Sharia law instead of Saudi Arabia's cybercrime law, upgrading the punishment to the death penalty on September 17. Sri Lanka's government, legal team, and religious leaders are seeking clemency, while his family says they have not heard from him since September 28. His mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, made an emotional appeal for mercy, pleading for forgiveness for her son's wrongdoing.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Sivarasa's family and promised diplomatic efforts to seek clemency. The Sri Lankan government is actively trying to save Sivarasa, with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirming that authorities are pursuing every available diplomatic option. A four-member legal delegation from Sri Lanka has traveled to Saudi Arabia to work alongside local lawyers handling the case.
Religious leaders from both the Buddhist and Hindu communities have submitted a joint memorandum urging the Sri Lankan government to intensify efforts to save Sivarasa. Human rights organizations have long criticized Saudi Arabia's harsh punishments for online speech, with activists saying the country's laws can expose people to severe penalties over social media activity.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that more than 10 million migrant workers live in Saudi Arabia, with rights groups arguing that foreign workers, especially low-income migrants, often face additional challenges, including language barriers and limited access to legal representation. Sivarasa's fate remains uncertain as his family, lawyers, and the Sri Lankan government continue pushing for mercy.
The case has sparked outrage in Sri Lanka, with politicians, religious leaders, and rights groups calling on Saudi authorities to show mercy. Saudi authorities have not announced when or if the sentence will be carried out, adding to fears about Sivarasa's condition. His brother earlier said that his brother hasn't called for two days, and they are waiting for a response from the embassy.
Key points
- A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook post deemed blasphemous.
- The Sri Lankan government is actively seeking clemency for Sivarasa through diplomatic efforts.
- Human rights organizations have criticized Saudi Arabia's harsh punishments for online speech, highlighting the risks faced by migrant workers.
