Sri Lankan Migrant Worker Faces Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia for Blasphemous Facebook Comment

A Sri Lankan migrant worker is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for making a comment on Facebook that was deemed blasphemous against Islam and its Prophet Muhammad.

The 24-year-old, Anojan Sivarasa, was found guilty by an appellate court, which has sparked widespread concern back home in Sri Lanka. The case has triggered civil society petitions across the country, with multiple political parties and government bodies joining forces to seek clemency for the young man.

Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, Anojan's mother, made a heart-wrenching plea through tears, urging Saudi authorities to show mercy towards her son. She begged them to forgive him and allow him to return home to his family.

The Sri Lankan government has been working behind the scenes to secure clemency for Anojan, but the family has received no updates on his condition since 28 September.

A social media dispute between Sri Lankan and Saudi Arabian users has escalated into a death sentence for one man, sparking international calls for clemency.

The incident began in June when footage of a Muslim man kicking a dog during a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka went viral on social media. The video sparked heated online debates, with some users posting inflammatory comments that targeted different religious groups.

In the heat of the argument, Anojan made a comment insulting the Prophet Muhammad, which was promptly deleted and followed by an apology video. However, screenshots of his initial post were captured and brought to the attention of his Saudi employer and government officials.

Anojan's devices were seized, and his social media accounts were removed at the behest of Saudi authorities, highlighting the ease with which online interactions can have real-world consequences.

The case against Anojan has taken a turn for the worse, as Saudi prosecutors successfully appealed to have him tried under Sharia law instead of cybercrime legislation. This decision was made by the appellate court on 17 September, and it resulted in an increase in his sentence from five years in prison and a fine of 3m Saudi riyals (approximately $0.8m or £0.6m) to the death penalty.

The Sri Lankan government is working diligently to assist Anojan, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming that it is taking all necessary steps to aid him. The family of the accused has been meeting with high-ranking officials in an effort to secure his release.

The case has garnered significant support from various religious leaders, who have come together to call for urgent state intervention on behalf of Anojan. Senior Buddhist leaders and Hindu religious leaders have submitted a memorandum to the Presidential Secretariat, urging the government to spare no effort in obtaining a general pardon for him.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has personally assured Anojan's family that the government will engage diplomatic channels with Saudi authorities to secure his release. He has instructed officials to work tirelessly on behalf of the accused, and the Presidential Secretariat is now handling the matter.

A Sri Lankan legal delegation is traveling to Saudi Arabia this week to meet Anojan's local defense lawyers and discuss the case. The four-member team will meet with representatives from two law firms handling Anojan's case.

The delegation plans to work out a strategy for moving forward in the case, according to Upul Kumarapperuma, President's Counsel and a member of the team. They aim to gather more information about the situation on the ground and explore possible avenues for support or intervention.

Meanwhile, communication between Anojan and his family has been severed. His sister Hamsidan expressed concern that her brother had not contacted them in two days, prompting them to reach out to the embassy for assistance.

The embassy assured them that they would look into the matter and provide an update, but so far no response has been received.

The controversy surrounding Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi's death sentence has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups. His case highlights the country's strict social media laws and their potential consequences for individuals who express dissenting opinions online.

Al Ghamdi's initial ruling was later overturned, with him instead receiving a 30-year prison sentence, according to ALQST for human rights. This development is seen as a mixed outcome by many, given that he still faces significant time behind bars despite the reduction in his punishment.

The Saudi legal system has been criticized for its treatment of low-wage migrant workers, who make up over 10 million foreign nationals within the country's borders according to the International Organisation for Migration.