Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence imposed on a Sri Lankan migrant worker convicted of blasphemy over a comment he posted on Facebook.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Arun Hemachandra, confirmed that the court had set aside the sentence on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, Hemachandra thanked the authorities and legal teams from both countries for their efforts in the case.
Anojan Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad in an online comment.
The case sparked concern in Sri Lanka and prompted diplomatic efforts to secure clemency.
The incident reportedly began in late June when footage of a Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims circulated on social media, triggering a heated online debate about religion.
During the exchange, a user allegedly posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, prompting Sivarasa to respond in Tamil with an insult directed at the Prophet Muhammad.
Although he later deleted the comment and posted an apology video, a screenshot of the post was reportedly shared with his employer and Saudi authorities.
Sivarasa was arrested in July.
He had initially been sentenced to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals, equivalent to approximately 800,000 US dollars, by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court before the death sentence was imposed on appeal.
Sri Lankan lawmaker Faizer Mustafa, who has been involved in legal negotiations with Saudi Arabia, confirmed to BBC Sinhala that the death sentence had been overturned. He said the latest ruling was still being reviewed.
It remains unclear whether further legal proceedings will follow or whether Sivarasa will continue to be detained. His family previously said they had not had direct contact with him since 28 September.
International human rights organisations had also called on Saudi Arabia to spare his life.
Human Rights Watch's senior Saudi Arabia researcher, Joey Shea, urged Saudi authorities to stop imposing severe penalties for speech-related offences, particularly against migrant workers who may have limited protections.
The latest ruling removes the death sentence, but Sivarasa’s legal status and the possibility of further proceedings remain uncertain.
Based on reporting by BBC News