Saudi Arabia sentences Sri Lankan worker to death over Facebook comment

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, faces execution in Saudi Arabia after an appellate court sentenced him to death for allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad in a Facebook comment.

According to Vanguard, Sivarasa was arrested in July following an online religious dispute involving users in Sri Lanka.

Although he deleted the comment and apologised, screenshots were reportedly forwarded to his employer and Saudi authorities.

Initially sentenced to five years imprisonment and fined three million Saudi riyals, his punishment was increased to death on September 17 following a prosecution appeal.

His mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, pleaded for clemency.

“I plead for mercy for the wrongs committed by my son. Please forgive him and send him back to us.”

Sri Lankan authorities are pursuing diplomatic intervention, while legal representatives are engaging Saudi lawyers.

The family reportedly has received no updates about Sivarasa since September 28.

Saudi authorities have not announced an execution date, leaving his fate uncertain.w