Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for man over Facebook comment, Sri Lanka says
The ruling followed sustained diplomatic pressure from Sri Lanka and human rights groups after Sivarasa was convicted over a Facebook comment.
- On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed.
- Sivarasa faced an initial five-year prison sentence and three million Saudi riyals fine before an appellate court imposed a death sentence in September for "verbally insulting and offending Prophet Muhammad."
- The Government of Sri Lanka sent a four-member legal team to Riyadh for a clemency appeal, with Hemachandra terming the development "a major relief" for the 24-year-old engineer.
- Although the death penalty is set aside, the case has been referred back to the lower court for further proceedings, where a fresh sentence is expected within two weeks.
- Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi authorities executed at least 356 people in 2025, noting more than 2,000 executions over the last decade, "in many cases violating Saudi and international law.
58 Articles
58 Articles
A deleted Facebook comment brought a death sentence. A Saudi court has now overturned it
An argument over a dog accompanying Hindu pilgrims in Sri Lanka led to a migrant worker being sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The Supreme Court set aside the sentence following diplomatic and legal intervention by Sri Lanka
Saudi Arabia overturns Sri Lankan worker's death sentence over Facebook comment
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, 27, who was convicted of blasphemy over a Facebook comment. Sri Lanka welcomed the decision after sustained diplomatic and legal efforts.
Saudi Arabia cancels death sentence for Sri Lankan who insulted Prophet Muhammad
Saudi Arabia cancels death sentence for Sri Lankan who insulted Prophet Muhammad Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 13:29 A Saudi court sentenced Anojan Sivarasa to death for insulting Islam on Facebook despite deleting comment and apologising. The Supreme Court later reversed the decision A screenshot of Anojan Siravasan insulting the Prophet Muhammad was sent to Saudi officials who prosecuted him for blasphemy (Human Rights Watch)…
Saudi SC overturns Lankan migrant's death sentence over Prophet remark
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted of blasphemy over a Facebook comment. The decision comes after sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed the verdict, highlighting the importance of patient diplomacy.
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