Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences handed to a Sri Lankan man convicted over Facebook comment deemed blasphemous.
27 year -old Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa was sentenced to death in September after appellate court found him guilty of insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
The verdict triggered widespread concern in Sri Lankan and prompted intense diplomatic efforts for clemency.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday October 14, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra thanked authorities and legal teams in both countries.
The controversy began in late June when a video of a Muslim youth kicking a dog trailing Hindu pilgrims went viral, sparking heated religious arguing online.
After another user allegedly insulted a Hindu deity, Sivarasa responded in Tamil with remarks insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
He quickly deleted the comment and shared an apology video, but a screenshot had already reached his employer and Saudi authorities, leading to his arrest in July.
He had initially been given a five-year prison term and a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals (about $0.8m) by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court before the sentence was escalated to death on appeal.
It remains unclear whether he will face further proceedings or how long he will remain in detention.
Lawmaker Faizer Mustafa, involved in the negotiations, confirmed the Supreme Court ruling to BBC Sinhala, saying they are still reviewing the judgement.
The family said they have had no direct contact with him since September 28, while right groups including Human Rights Watch has called on Saudi authorities to drop the death penalty.
The development raises questions about the importance of due process, fair hearings and the protection of human life when religious offences are alleged.
-9News Nigeria.
