Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old migrant worker from Sri Lanka, is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia after being found guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad due to a comment he made on Facebook. His family has not heard from him since September 28, and they have made a public plea for mercy. The case has raised significant concern in Sri Lanka, prompting political parties and government bodies to coordinate diplomatic efforts for clemency.
The Sri Lankan government has advised the family to refrain from making further statements while diplomatic negotiations are ongoing. Saudi authorities have not provided a timeline for the execution, which could occur without prior notice to the family or foreign embassies.
Sivarasa's legal troubles began after a social media dispute that arose from an incident during a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka in late June. Following derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, Sivarasa responded with an insulting comment about the Prophet Muhammad, which he later deleted and apologized for. However, the comment was screenshot and led to his arrest in July after his employer notified Saudi authorities.
Initially sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals (approximately $800,000), Sivarasa's sentence was escalated to death after prosecutors appealed for a retrial under Sharia law. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working to assist him, and a legal delegation from Sri Lanka is traveling to Saudi Arabia to meet with his defense lawyers.
The case has garnered cross-religious support within Sri Lanka, with senior Buddhist and Hindu leaders advocating for state intervention. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns about severe penalties for online speech in Saudi Arabia, noting that executions for blasphemy are less common than for drug offenses or murder.
There are over 10 million foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, many of whom face challenges in navigating the legal system due to language barriers and inadequate legal representation.