A 24-year-old Sri Lankan man has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook comment. Anojan Sivarasa, a migrant worker, was found guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad after a comment he posted on social media.
His conviction has caused strong reactions in Sri Lanka, while several political parties, state institutions and civil society organizations have launched diplomatic efforts to seek clemency for the young man.
His family has appealed to Saudi authorities for forgiveness. None of them have had any information about the young man's condition since September 28. His mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, has made a public appeal for forgiveness for her son.
The case began after a social media debate following the publication of a video from Sri Lanka showing a young Muslim man hitting a dog during a Hindu pilgrimage. During the online debate, a user posted insulting comments about a Hindu deity. In response, Sivarasa wrote an insulting comment about the Prophet Muhammad in Tamil.
The 24-year-old immediately deleted the comment and posted a video apologizing. However, a screenshot of the comment was sent to his employer in Saudi Arabia and then to Saudi authorities. According to the family, the company notified the authorities, who initiated proceedings against him.
Sivarasa was initially sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals, about $800,000, by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court. But after an appeal, the case took a surprising turn on September 17, when the prosecution requested that he be tried under Sharia law rather than cybercrime legislation. The Court of Appeals accepted the request and overturned the verdict, sentencing him to death.
The Sri Lankan government has confirmed that it is using all diplomatic channels to seek his pardon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has met with the family and sought the engagement of Saudi diplomatic authorities.
Meanwhile, a legal delegation from Sri Lanka is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with local lawyers and consider further legal steps.
Saudi authorities have not announced a date for the execution. According to reports, in such cases, executions can be carried out without prior notification to families or embassies.
