World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia sets aside death sentence for Sri Lankan worker
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court set aside the death sentence against Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa on Wednesday.
Sivarasa was sentenced to death in September over a Facebook comment that Saudi authorities deemed insulting to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
The comment came during an online argument in June after a video involving a dog and Hindu pilgrims in Sri Lanka circulated on social media.
Sri Lanka pursued diplomatic and legal efforts to challenge the sentence, and the case drew calls for it to be overturned from political groups and international rights organisations.
The Supreme Court sent the case back to a lower court that first heard it, according to a lawyer who worked on the case.
A fresh sentence may follow, and the lawyer said a hearing was expected within two weeks.
It is not yet clear what sentence he will receive or how long he will remain in detention.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa over a Facebook comment.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said the decision followed diplomatic and legal efforts by the government.
The case has been referred to a lower court, but the sources differ on whether further proceedings are confirmed.
Sivarasa was sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of blasphemy.
The Facebook comment was made during an online argument linked to a video of a man attacking a dog.
- Who
- Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan migrant worker.
- What
- Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court set aside his death sentence and referred the case to a lower court, according to The Hindu.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The Hindu also said the court acted on October 13.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia. The lower court that originally heard the case is in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The sentence followed a Facebook comment that Saudi authorities deemed blasphemous; Sri Lanka said diplomatic and legal efforts helped secure the decision.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A video of a man attacking a dog circulated online and prompted religious arguments, during which Sivarasa posted the comment.
Sivarasa was arrested after a screenshot of the comment was brought to his employer and Saudi officials.
A Saudi appellate court sentenced Sivarasa to death.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court set aside the death sentence, according to statements and reports cited by the sources.
- Worker
- Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan migrant worker
- Age
- 24 in The Hindu; 27 in the BBC
- Initial sentence
- Five years in prison; BBC also reports a fine of three million Saudi riyals
- Death sentence
- Imposed by a Saudi appellate court in September 2026
- Supreme Court decision
- Set aside on October 13 or 14, 2026, according to the sources
- Next step
- The Hindu says the case was referred to the lower court that originally heard it
3 sources
What people are saying
a major relief
No Sri Lankan who leaves our shores in search of a livelihood should ever feel that they stand alone.
Saudi authorities should end their use of abusive laws to hand out extraordinary sentences for speech-related offenses, especially against migrant workers who are already in a vulnerable position with limited protections,