In a major development that garnered international attention, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence handed down to Sri Lankan Hindu migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa. Sivarasa had faced severe blasphemy charges over a comment made on Facebook, leading an appeals court to sentence him to death. The case had sparked significant concern and diplomatic mobilization.
Origin of the Controversy
The ordeal for Sivarasa began in late June following an incident during a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. A video went viral showing a young Muslim individual kicking a dog walking behind Hindu pilgrims, triggering a heated online debate among users.
During the online exchange, a user made derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. In response, Sivarasa posted a comment in Tamil. Although he promptly deleted the comment and posted a video apology, the matter had already escalated into severe legal scrutiny under strict local laws.
Diplomatic Interventions and Legal Victory
According to reports from international and Sri Lankan news outlets, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism in Sri Lanka confirmed the Supreme Court's ruling. Following the appeals court's death sentence, a formal appeal was lodged with the Saudi Supreme Court.
The Sri Lankan government spearheaded efforts to secure his release, deploying a specialized legal team to Saudi Arabia. Key figures including Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Minister and the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia played pivotal roles in coordinating diplomatic and legal channels, culminating in this critical reprieve.
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National Desk, The Freelance
Verified Editorial DeskPolitics, Governance & Public Interest Reporting Team
The Freelance National Desk provides round-the-clock, verified, and in-depth analytical reporting on Indian politics, governance, policy decisions, parliamentary affairs, and public interest matters. We are committed to unbiased, factual journalism based on verified agencies, official statements, and on-the-ground correspondents.