Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for man over Facebook comment, Sri Lanka says
Summary
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court canceled the death sentence of Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan migrant worker sentenced for a Facebook comment considered blasphemous against Islam. The case sparked strong reactions in Sri Lanka and led to diplomatic efforts calling for clemency.Key Facts
- Anojan Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September for blasphemy after a Facebook comment insulting Prophet Muhammad.
- The comment came during online religious arguments sparked by a video of a Muslim man kicking a dog after Hindu pilgrims passed by.
- Sivarasa deleted the comment and apologized in a video, but a screenshot was reported, leading to his arrest in Saudi Arabia in July.
- He was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined about $800,000 by a lower court before the death sentence.
- Sri Lanka’s government and legal teams worked with Saudi authorities to seek clemency.
- The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia overturned the death sentence, but it is unclear if further legal steps will follow or if Sivarasa will remain detained.
- Human rights groups criticized Saudi Arabia's harsh laws on speech, especially affecting vulnerable migrant workers.
- Sivarasa's family has not had direct contact with him since late September.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
