Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence imposed on a Sri Lankan migrant worker over a comment he posted on Facebook, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said, according to the BBC.
Anojan Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over the comment.
The case triggered widespread concern in Sri Lanka and prompted diplomatic efforts to secure clemency for the migrant worker.
Hemachandra announced the latest development in a Facebook post on Wednesday, thanking the authorities and legal teams of both countries for their efforts.
According to the BBC, the controversy began in late June after footage of a young Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims circulated widely on social media, triggering religious exchanges online.
During the ensuing arguments, a user allegedly posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, prompting Sivarasa to respond in Tamil with an insulting comment about Prophet Muhammad.
Although Sivarasa later deleted the comment and posted an apology video, a screenshot was reportedly brought to the attention of his employer and Saudi authorities. He was arrested in July.
Before the death sentence was imposed, the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court had sentenced him to five years in prison and fined him three million Saudi riyals, equivalent to around $800,000, the BBC reported.
Faizer Mustafa, a Sri Lankan lawmaker involved in legal negotiations with Saudi Arabia over the case, also confirmed to BBC Sinhala that the death sentence had been overturned. He said they were reviewing the Supreme Court’s latest ruling.
However, it remains unclear whether further legal proceedings will follow, or whether Sivarasa will continue to be detained and for how long.
His family had earlier said they had not been in direct contact with him since September 28.
International human rights organisations had also called on Saudi Arabia to spare his life.
Joey Shea, Human Rights Watch’s senior Saudi Arabia researcher, urged Saudi authorities to end the use of what the organisation considers abusive laws to impose severe sentences for speech-related offences, particularly against migrant workers who may have limited protections.
The Supreme Court’s decision sets aside the death sentence, but the available information does not establish whether Sivarasa has been released or whether the remaining legal penalties have been cancelled.
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