Supreme Court Overturns Sentence in Blasphemy Case
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has set aside the capital punishment handed to a 27-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker. Anojan Sivarasa had previously been sentenced to death in September following a conviction for blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
Colombo's Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra announced via social media on Wednesday that the top court had set aside the penalty. Diplomatic efforts and legal teams from both nations actively worked to seek clemency after the case initially drew widespread attention and concern.
Background and Court Proceedings
The legal situation began after online exchanges on social media involving a video where a young Muslim man kicked a dog following Hindu pilgrims. During discussions online, another user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, which prompted Sivarasa to respond in Tamil with an insult directed at the Prophet Muhammad.
Although Sivarasa promptly deleted his message and posted an apology video, a screenshot reached his employer and local officials, leading to his arrest in July. Initially, the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court handed down a five-year prison sentence alongside a fine of three million Saudi riyals. Sivarasa's family stated they had no direct contact with him since late September.
Ongoing Legal Status and International Response
It remains unclear whether Sivarasa will face further legal proceedings or how long he will stay in detention. Sri Lankan lawmaker Faizer Mustafa confirmed that officials are currently reviewing the latest ruling from the Supreme Court.
International advocacy organizations had previously urged Saudi authorities to spare the worker's life. Representatives from Human Rights Watch expressed concerns regarding the application of strict laws to speech offenses, particularly for vulnerable migrant workers who possess limited protections.
Sources: BBC, NDTV, The Times of India, The Hindu.
