A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, faces execution in Saudi Arabia after being found guilty of blasphemy over a Facebook comment.
What Happened
During a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka, a video circulated showing a Muslim man kicking a dog. The incident sparked online debate.
A user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. In response, Anojan Sivarasa posted a comment in Tamil insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
He promptly deleted the post and posted an apology video. However, screenshots of the comment were shared with his employer and Saudi authorities.
His personal devices were seized, and his social media accounts were deleted by Saudi officials.
Legal Process and Sentencing
Anojan was initially sentenced to five years in prison by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court. An appeal seeking a reduced sentence was rejected by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
On 17 September, Saudi prosecutors appealed for prosecution under Sharia law instead of cybercrime legislation. The appellate court granted the request, increasing his sentence to the death penalty.
Family and Diplomatic Response
Anojan’s family has not heard from him since 28 September. His brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, said they informed the Sri Lankan embassy but received no update.
On 21 September, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the family. He assured them the government would take all steps to secure clemency.
A four-member Sri Lankan legal delegation is traveling to Saudi Arabia to meet Anojan’s local defence lawyers and discuss the case.
Senior Buddhist and Hindu religious leaders have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Presidential Secretariat calling for urgent state intervention.
Broader Context and Concerns
Saudi Arabia has a history of executing individuals without prior notification to families or foreign embassies.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about severe penalties for online speech. In July 2023, retired teacher Mohammed Al Ghamdi was sentenced to death for social media comments. The sentence was later overturned, and he was given a 30-year prison term.
There are over 10 million foreign workers in Saudi Arabia. Many face language barriers and lack access to proper legal representation.
Executions for blasphemy are rare compared to those for drug offences or murder. However, the legal system remains controversial for its treatment of digital speech.
Why This Matters
This case highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia’s legal system.
It underscores the risks of online speech, especially when shared across international borders.
It raises questions about due process, transparency, and the role of religious law in modern digital contexts.
What to Watch Next
- The progress of the Sri Lankan delegation’s meeting with Saudi legal representatives.
- Any official communication from Saudi authorities regarding the execution timeline.
- Whether the case triggers broader international scrutiny of blasphemy laws and online speech in Saudi Arabia.
Human rights organisations continue to monitor the case. They stress that low-wage migrant workers are especially at risk due to limited legal recourse.
The incident has sparked national concern in Sri Lanka, where civil society is mobilising to protect religious and digital freedoms.
While Saudi Arabia has not published an execution schedule, the family remains in limbo. No formal updates have been issued since 28 September.
For more on human rights in Saudi Arabia, see the original report.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Massive Dust Cloud over Iraq and Saudi Arabia (MODIS 2022-05-06).jpg by MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source
