The issue of Anojan Sivarasa’s death sentence reached a turning point when the death sentence handed down to a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant laborer who made a comment on a Facebook post was overturned by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia.
This was officially declared by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Arun Hemachandra, on October 14, 2026. This development has come as a relief to the family of Anojan, who have been under suspense for a few weeks now. However, no details regarding his release or imprisonment are known.
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Who Is Anojan Sivarasa?
Anojan Sivarasa is a 24-year-old citizen of Sri Lanka who came to Saudi Arabia to work in the construction industry. As per Human Rights Watch, he had been in the country for about ten months before being arrested, and he was the only earner for his family back home.
This man’s case gained worldwide attention when he was charged by the Saudi authorities over a post made on Facebook. Human rights groups criticized the harshness of the penalty and asked that the death penalty be reconsidered.
Why Was He Sentenced to Death?
The case began on June 28, 2026, when Anojan reportedly commented in Tamil on a video circulating on Facebook. According to Human Rights Watch, some viewers considered the comment offensive to the Prophet Muhammad. A screenshot of the comment was reportedly shared with his employer and Saudi authorities.
Anojan subsequently deleted the comment and uploaded an apology video, according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. He was arrested in Dammam on July 1, 2026, after being taken to a police station by his employer, according to information provided to Human Rights Watch by a family member.
How Did His Sentence Change?
On July 27, 2026, a criminal court in Al-Ahsa convicted Anojan of five years in jail and a fine worth three million Saudi riyals ($800,000). The court further issued orders for the confiscation of his electronic device as well as the closure of his Facebook account.
The prosecution appealed the original judgment, and Anojan’s lawyer also challenged it. On September 17, a court of appeal in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region reportedly increased his punishment to death. The decision prompted concern among his family, supporters, and international human rights organizations.
Why Did Human Rights Groups Oppose the Sentence?
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned the execution and called on Saudi Arabia to overturn the sentence. This is because using such a stringent punishment on the basis of a social media comment creates a lot of doubts regarding the issue of freedom of expression.
The case also brought to attention the fragility of foreign workers who have to go through complicated legal processes abroad. Both organizations sought action to save him from execution and resolve his legal situation.
Latest Update: Saudi Supreme Court Overturns the Death Penalty
The most recent development took place on October 13, 2026, when Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court overturned the verdict on the death penalty. This was stated by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra the next day, and he thanked Saudi Arabia for their cooperation.
The diplomats, officials, and lawyers representing the two countries were thanked for their hard work. It was reported that a special delegation of lawyers from Sri Lanka had been to Saudi Arabia to assist with filing the appeal. The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, had also welcomed the decision and said that this is good news for Anojan and his family.
This has led to the overturning of the Anojan Sivarasa death sentence, although this does not mean that all other legal processes have come to an end. The existing information does not provide any confirmation as to whether the five-year jail sentence and the fine have been retained.
Conclusion
The Anojan Sivarasa death sentence case has reached a significant turning point after Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court overturned the death penalty following legal and diplomatic efforts by Sri Lanka. The decision has eased immediate fears of execution and brought relief to his family. However, the status of any remaining sentence and the timing of his possible release still require official clarification.
References:
Saudi Arabia: Death Penalty for Facebook Comment… Human Rights Watch
Saudi Arabia: Overturn Death Sentence Against Sri Lankan… Amnesty International
Anojan Sivarasa Wins Lifeline as Saudi Court Overturns Death Sentence… News 1st
Anojan Sivarasa’s Death Sentence Overturned… Daily Mirror
Author: Saurabh
Saurabh is a content writer at RA News Updates, based in Faridabad, Delhi NCR. He covers news, politics, and current affairs, focusing on delivering clear, accurate, and informative content. He holds an MA in political science from IGNOU and a BA in political science from PGDAV College, University of Delhi. He is also HubSpot-certified in SEO and content marketing.