The death penalty was given for a Facebook comment... New development in the case in Riyadh!
The Supreme Court overturned the decision in the case of 24-year-old Anojan Sivarasa, who was sentenced to death penalty for a post he made on social media.
Quick Look
- The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia overturned the verdict of Sri Lankan citizen Anojan Sivarasa, who was sentenced to death due to a religious comment on social media.
- However, the verdict does not mean acquittal.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In Saudi Arabia, social media posts and accusations of insulting religious values can lead to severe penalties.
There has been an important development in the case of Sri Lankan citizen Anojan Sivarasa, who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for his social media post.
Sivarasa was tried for a comment on Facebook that was said to be insulting to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
It didn't help that he deleted the comment and publicly apologized after the incident.
Finally, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence given to 24-year-old Sivarasa.
SCREENSHOT SENT
The incident started when a video showing a dog chasing Hindu pilgrims being kicked by a Muslim teenager was shared on social media.
On June 28, Sivarasa responded in Tamil to another user who made a derogatory comment against a Hindu god under the video. In his response, Hz. It was stated that he used insulting expressions towards Muhammad.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the comment quickly attracted attention and the screenshot was forwarded to Saudi officials and Sivarasa's employer.
Thereupon, Sivarasa deleted his comment and published an apology video on his Facebook account. However, according to the information provided by his family, he was taken to Dammam Police Station and detained on July 1 after being kept in the office by his employer for at least 24 hours.
Al-Ahsa Prosecutor's Office named Sivarasa as Hz. He accused him of verbally insulting Muhammad and publishing content on the internet that was contrary to religious values and public morality.
WAS HE ACQUITTED?
Sivarasa was reportedly sentenced to death last month.
Faizer Mustafa, who was involved in the legal negotiations with the Saudi authorities regarding the case, confirmed in his statement to BBC Sinhala that the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence.
However, the overturning of the verdict does not mean that Sivarasa was acquitted or released.
Evaluations regarding the further legal process of the case continue.
DEATH PENALTY IN SAUDI ARABIA
According to Amnesty International's data, at least 356 people will be executed in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
The organization reported that, as of June 18, 2026, approximately 100 people have been executed in the country since the beginning of the year.
Amnesty International points out that foreign nationals, especially those tried on drug charges, are subject to heavy penalties.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The new legal process of the case will continue
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How will the trial process continue?
- Will Sivarasa be released?
