Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of a 27-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker convicted of blasphemy over a Facebook comment, prompting relief in Colombo after weeks of diplomatic efforts to save his life. Anojan Sivarasa was sentenced to death in September after an appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The decision came after months of diplomatic efforts by Colombo to secure a reprieve for the migrant worker.Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the latest ruling in a Facebook post, thanking Saudi authorities and the legal teams involved in the case. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also welcomed the decision.“I express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for this humane and just outcome,” Dissanayake said on X.<h2>How a Facebook comment led to death sentence</h2>The case can be traced to a social media controversy in late June. A video showing a young Muslim man kicking a dog after Hindu pilgrims passed by circulated online, prompting a heated exchange over religion.During the argument, a user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. Sivarasa responded in Tamil with an insulting comment about the Prophet Muhammad.He deleted the comment and posted an apology video, but a screenshot reportedly reached his employer and Saudi authorities. He was arrested in July.The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court initially sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals. Sivarasa appealed the ruling, but the appellate court subsequently increased his punishment to death.<h2>His future remains uncertain</h2>While the Supreme Court’s decision removes the death sentence, it is not yet clear whether Sivarasa will face further proceedings or remain in custody. Sri Lankan lawmaker Faizer Mustafa, who has been involved in negotiations with Saudi Arabia, told BBC Sinhala that the latest ruling was being reviewed.Sivarasa’s family had earlier said they had not been in direct contact with him since September 28.Human Rights Watch had called on Saudi Arabia to spare his life. The case also brought back memories of Sri Lankan domestic worker Rizana Nafeek, who was executed in Saudi Arabia in 2013 after being convicted of murdering her employer’s baby, despite appeals for clemency.For Sivarasa, the latest ruling marks a significant turn in a case that began with an online exchange. Whether it will lead to his release, however, remains unanswered.

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned Sri Lankan worker Anojan Sivarasa's death sentence over a Facebook comment deemed blasphemous. His detention and the next legal steps remain unclear.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of a 27-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker convicted of blasphemy over a Facebook comment, prompting relief in Colombo after weeks of diplomatic efforts to save his life. Anojan Sivarasa was sentenced to death in September after an appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The decision came after months of diplomatic efforts by Colombo to secure a reprieve for the migrant worker. Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the latest ruling in a Facebook post, thanking Saudi authorities and the legal teams involved in the case. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also welcomed the decision. “I express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for this humane and just outcome,” Dissanayake said on X. How a Facebook comment led to death sentence The case can be traced to a social media controversy in late June. A video showing a young Muslim man kicking a dog after Hindu pilgrims passed by circulated online, prompting a heated exchange over religion. During the argument, a user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. Sivarasa responded in Tamil with an insulting comment about the Prophet Muhammad. He deleted the comment and posted an apology video, but a screenshot reportedly reached his employer and Saudi authorities. He was arrested in July. The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court initially sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals. Sivarasa appealed the ruling, but the appellate court subsequently increased his punishment to death. His future remains uncertain While the Supreme Court’s decision removes the death sentence, it is not yet clear whether Sivarasa will face further proceedings or remain in custody. Sri Lankan lawmaker Faizer Mustafa, who has been involved in negotiations with Saudi Arabia, told BBC Sinhala that the latest ruling was being reviewed. Sivarasa’s family had earlier said they had not been in direct contact with him since September 28. Human Rights Watch had called on Saudi Arabia to spare his life. The case also brought back memories of Sri Lankan domestic worker Rizana Nafeek, who was executed in Saudi Arabia in 2013 after being convicted of murdering her employer’s baby, despite appeals for clemency. For Sivarasa, the latest ruling marks a significant turn in a case that began with an online exchange. Whether it will lead to his release, however, remains unanswered.

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned Sri Lankan worker Anojan Sivarasa's death sentence over a Facebook comment deemed blasphemous. His detention and the next legal steps remain unclear.

Saudi Arabia overturns Sri Lankan man’s death sentence over Facebook comment

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced to death Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a government critic, for denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses via his social media posts.

The judgement was handed down by the nation's Specialised Criminal Court in July — the court that handles terrorism cases in the country.

<h2>X and other social media</h2>

Talking to AFP on Monday, al-Ghamdi's brother and other sources familiar with the case said that the case against the government critic was at least partially built on his posts on X, formerly Twitter, where he criticised the government and expressed support for "prisoners of conscience" or jailed religious clerics like Salman al-Awda and Awad al-Qarni.

His X account, as per the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, had only nine followers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-russian-national-accused-of-espionage-supplying-western-tech-to-moscow-629978">Swedish-Russian national accused of espionage, supplying western tech to Moscow</a>

"How can the world believe the country is reforming when a citizen is going to have his head cut off over tweets on an anonymous account with less than 10 followers?" questioned Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and communication for the rights group ALQST.

"Saudi courts are escalating their repression and unveiling publicly their empty promises of reform," said al-Hathloul.

<h2>Charges against him</h2>

The charges against Mohammed al-Ghamdi as per AFP include conspiracy against the Saudi leadership, undermining state institutions, and supporting terrorist ideology.&nbsp;

Mohammed's brother Saeed al-Ghamdi, who is a prominent religious scholar, said that the country's political climate "is polluted with repression, terror, and political arrests just for expressing an opinion, even with tweets or liking tweets criticising the situation."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/raids-executions-as-saudi-arabia-wages-war-on-drugs-606972">Saudi Arabia launches crackdown on drugs with raids, executions</a>

The case has led to human rights activists pointing out Saudi Arabia's intensifying crackdown on criticism published on social media, even on accounts with few followers.

Saudi frequently faces condemnation for its human rights record and the prolific&nbsp;use of the death penalty. Last year, as per an AFP tally, the nation executed 147 people. This year, so far, there have been 94 executions.

Despite Saudi Arabia's attempts at reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda, concerns over the nation's human rights practices and stifling of dissent persist. Vision 2030 agenda is aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a global business and tourism destination.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced to death Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a government critic, for denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses via his social media posts.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced to death Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a government critic, for denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses via his social media posts. The judgement was handed down by the nation's Specialised Criminal Court in July — the court that handles terrorism cases in the country. X and other social media Talking to AFP on Monday, al-Ghamdi's brother and other sources familiar with the case said that the case against the government critic was at least partially built on his posts on X, formerly Twitter, where he criticised the government and expressed support for "prisoners of conscience" or jailed religious clerics like Salman al-Awda and Awad al-Qarni. His X account, as per the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, had only nine followers. Also read | Swedish-Russian national accused of espionage, supplying western tech to Moscow "How can the world believe the country is reforming when a citizen is going to have his head cut off over tweets on an anonymous account with less than 10 followers?" questioned Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and communication for the rights group ALQST. "Saudi courts are escalating their repression and unveiling publicly their empty promises of reform," said al-Hathloul. Charges against him The charges against Mohammed al-Ghamdi as per AFP include conspiracy against the Saudi leadership, undermining state institutions, and supporting terrorist ideology. Mohammed's brother Saeed al-Ghamdi, who is a prominent religious scholar, said that the country's political climate "is polluted with repression, terror, and political arrests just for expressing an opinion, even with tweets or liking tweets criticising the situation." Also read | Saudi Arabia launches crackdown on drugs with raids, executions The case has led to human rights activists pointing out Saudi Arabia's intensifying crackdown on criticism published on social media, even on accounts with few followers. Saudi frequently faces condemnation for its human rights record and the prolific use of the death penalty. Last year, as per an AFP tally, the nation executed 147 people. This year, so far, there have been 94 executions. Despite Saudi Arabia's attempts at reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda, concerns over the nation's human rights practices and stifling of dissent persist. Vision 2030 agenda is aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a global business and tourism destination.

Saudi Arabia to execute man for criticising government on X account with only nine followers

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Saudi Arabia overturns Sri Lankan man’s death sentence over Facebook comment

Saudi Arabia to execute man for criticising government on X account with only nine followers