Saudi Arabia has overturned the death sentence against a 27-year-old man from Sri Lanka who had been found guilty over a Facebook comment that, according to Saudi authorities, insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The decision eases tensions around a case that had raised serious questions about the limits of freedom of expression and the treatment of migrant workers in the kingdom.
The decision was announced by the Sri Lankan side
The news was announced by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Arun Hemachandra, who said that Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had overturned the death sentence against Anojan Sivarasa.
In his public response, Hemachandra thanked the authorities and legal teams of both countries for their involvement in the case, which had sparked strong reactions in Sri Lanka and prompted diplomatic engagement to seek a pardon for the young man.
From a fine and prison term to capital punishment on appeal
Sivarasa was initially sentenced by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals, about $800,000.
The case then took a much harsher turn: in September, an appeals court in Saudi Arabia found him guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad and converted the sentence to death by execution.
The online dispute began after a video with a religious backdrop
The case is linked to a clash on social media in late June, after footage spread online showing a young Muslim man kicking a dog behind a group of Hindu pilgrims.
The video ignited religiously charged debate. During these online clashes, one user posted derogatory comments about a Hindu deity, while Sivarasa responded in Tamil with an offensive comment about the Prophet Muhammad.
According to reports, he quickly deleted the comment and also posted a video apologizing. Nevertheless, a screenshot of the comment reached his employer and later the Saudi authorities, leading to his arrest in July.
The overturning of the sentence does not necessarily close the case
Despite the latest ruling, it remains unclear whether there will be further legal proceedings against the 27-year-old, whether he will continue to be held in detention, and how long his imprisonment may last.
Sri Lankan lawmaker Faizer Mustafa, who has been involved in the legal negotiations over the case, confirmed to BBC Sinhala that the death sentence had been overturned. He said their side was reviewing the Supreme Court’s latest ruling to understand the legal consequences and the next steps.
Earlier, Sivarasa’s family had said they had not had direct contact with him since September 28, which had increased concern about his fate.
Rights organizations raised the alarm
The case drew the attention of international human rights organizations, which urged Saudi Arabia not to execute the young man.
Human Rights Watch had criticized the use of laws providing for extreme punishments for statements published online, especially when migrant workers with limited protections are involved.
This makes the case broader than an online argument: it brings back into focus how Saudi authorities treat expression on the internet and how exposed a migrant worker remains when facing a very harsh criminal justice system.
The overturning of the death sentence marks a significant turning point for Anojan Sivarasa, but not necessarily the end of his legal ordeal.
The uncertainty over his status after the ruling is precisely what keeps open the debate over the proportionality of punishment and the guarantees offered to migrants facing accusations related to the expression of opinion.