After huge global outrage Sri Lankan worker sentenced to death by Saudi Arabia for a facebook comment, has his sentence overturned
A major breakthrough has emerged in the case of Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil engineer who faced execution in Saudi Arabia over a Facebook comment. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has set aside his death sentence, bringing relief to his family and supporters after weeks of legal uncertainty, public campaigning and diplomatic intervention.
The decision marks a significant turning point in a case that attracted international attention and raised difficult questions about freedom of expression, religious sensitivity and the use of capital punishment for online speech. However, the ruling does not automatically mean that Anojan is free. His future now depends on the next steps in the Saudi legal process.
How a Facebook Comment Turned Into a Death Sentence
Anojan Sivarasa, from Narpittimunai near Kalmunai in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, travelled to Saudi Arabia in September 2025 to work as a technical engineer at a battery factory.
His case began with a controversy in Sri Lanka in June 2026. A video showing a man kicking a dog that had accompanied Hindu pilgrims on a journey to the Kathirkamam Murugan temple circulated widely on social media. The incident triggered heated exchanges between users from different religious communities.
During the online argument, derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity were followed by a response from Anojan that was deemed insulting to Islam. According to reports, he deleted the comment within minutes and subsequently published an apology video.
However, screenshots of the comment were reportedly shared with his employer in Saudi Arabia and brought to the attention of Saudi authorities. He was arrested in July 2026.
On July 27, a criminal court in Al-Ahsa sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals under the country’s anti-cybercrime law.
The case took a far more serious turn when prosecutors appealed. On September 17, an appeals court imposed the death penalty under its interpretation of Sharia law.
A young migrant worker who had travelled abroad to build his career was suddenly facing the possibility of execution over a social media exchange.
How Global Outrage Helped Change the Course of the Case
The death sentence triggered growing concern among human rights advocates, political representatives, religious leaders and members of the Sri Lankan public.
Amnesty International publicly called on Saudi Arabia to overturn the death sentence and release Anojan immediately and unconditionally.
The organisation argued that a social media comment, however offensive it might be considered, should not lead to imprisonment or execution. It also highlighted concerns about his access to legal representation and the dramatic change from a prison sentence to capital punishment.
Sri Lankan lawmakers appealed for clemency, while Hindu and Buddhist religious figures urged Sri Lankan authorities to intervene. Public gatherings, signature campaigns, vigils and joint prayers took place in parts of Sri Lanka. Anojan’s family also appealed for mercy and sought assistance from the country’s leadership.
The Sri Lankan government pursued diplomatic channels and worked with legal representatives to challenge the sentence.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Anojan’s parents in September and pledged government assistance. Sri Lankan officials subsequently coordinated with Saudi counterparts, while a legal team worked with Saudi lawyers on the appeal process.
According to reporting on October 14, Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had set aside the death sentence. He credited sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by Sri Lanka and thanked Saudi authorities for their cooperation.
What Happens to Anojan Sivarasa Now?
The Supreme Court’s decision is a major development, but several questions remain unanswered.
Reports indicate that Anojan remains in Dammam Central Prison. Setting aside the death sentence does not, by itself, confirm that he has been released or that all charges have been dismissed.
The precise legal effect of the ruling, including whether the case will return to a lower court or undergo further proceedings, has not yet been clearly established in the available reporting.
Before the death sentence was imposed, Anojan had received a five-year prison term and a fine of three million Saudi riyals.
It is not yet clear whether that original punishment will be restored, whether a different sentence will be imposed, or whether further legal proceedings will take place. The Supreme Court’s decision should therefore not be interpreted as confirmation that he will serve only the original sentence or that he will be freed immediately.
Diplomatic engagement remains important while the legal consequences of the ruling are clarified. Sri Lankan officials will need to establish Anojan’s current legal status, ensure access to legal assistance and determine what further steps are available.
For Anojan’s family, the immediate relief is that the reported death sentence has been set aside. Their broader hope is that the remaining proceedings will end in his release and that he will be able to return home safely.
