Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for Sri Lankan worker over Facebook post

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence handed to a Sri Lankan migrant worker who faced execution over a social media comment, following intensive diplomatic intervention and legal challenges led by Colombo.

The legal turnaround is a notable development in a case that drew international condemnation from human rights organizations and sparked immense anxiety across Sri Lanka. According to announcements by Sri Lankan officials, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia acted on 13 October 2026 to annul the capital punishment ruling previously issued against Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old migrant worker from the island's eastern Ampara district. Additional details regarding the legal proceedings and broader international context are available through Amnesty International's reporting on the case and Human Rights Watch documentation.

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The controversy originated in late June when digital footage circulated showing a young Muslim man kicking a dog that was accompanying Hindu pilgrims. The video triggered fierce online arguments between users of different faiths. During the exchanges, another user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, prompting Sivarasa to respond in Tamil with an insulting comment directed at the Prophet Muhammad. Although Sivarasa promptly deleted his remarks and published a video apology, screenshots were forwarded to his employer and local authorities. He was arrested on 1 July 2026 after being held in his employer's office.

Legal proceedings moved swiftly through the kingdom's courts. Initially, the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court convicted Sivarasa under Article 6 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law, sentencing him on 27 July 2026 to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals. However, prosecutors successfully appealed to have the case shifted under Sharia law. On 17 September 2026, the Court of Appeal in the Eastern Region increased the penalty to death as a hadd punishment for blasphemy.

The escalation sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, prompting immediate government action and widespread public outcry. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Sivarasa's family in Colombo to assure them that the state would cover legal expenses and pursue all avenues for clemency. A special legal delegation was dispatched to Riyadh, and Sri Lankan diplomats, including Ambassador Amir Ajwad, engaged extensively with authorities. The diplomatic push also saw religious leaders, civil society groups, and minority lawmakers appeal directly for mercy.

Global watchdog groups and advocacy organizations had sharply criticized the initial death sentence, highlighting the vulnerability of migrant workers within the kingdom's judicial system. Human rights monitors noted that Saudi Arabia remains one of the world's leading executioners, having carried out a record number of executions in recent years. Additional perspectives on the freedom of expression and legal challenges involved can be examined via BBC coverage and Swarajya reporting.

Despite the overturning of the death sentence, Sivarasa's immediate future remains shrouded in uncertainty. Legal experts and diplomatic sources indicate that the Supreme Court referred the matter back to the lower court that originally heard the case, raising questions about whether the initial five-year prison term and financial penalty will be reinstated or if entirely new proceedings will follow. Furthermore, family members reported having no direct contact with Sivarasa since late September, and concerns were previously raised after he sustained bruising during an altercation with a fellow inmate at Dammam Central Prison.

As diplomatic channels and legal teams review the Supreme Court's latest ruling, attention turns to the local court hearings anticipated in the coming weeks. Readers seeking broader context on international affairs and regional developments can consult India Today's analysis and Sahara Reporters updates.