The family of a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia has appealed for clemency, as diplomatic efforts intensify to secure his release.
Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, the mother of Anojan Sivarasa, has made an emotional plea for forgiveness, urging Saudi authorities to spare her eldest son's life and allow him to return home.
Anojan was sentenced to death after an appellate court found him guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over a comment he posted on Facebook.
The case has sparked widespread concern in Sri Lanka, prompting civil society petitions and diplomatic intervention by political parties and government officials.
The family has not received an update on Anojan's condition since 28 September. The Sri Lankan government has also asked relatives to refrain from making further public statements while diplomatic efforts continue.
Saudi authorities have not announced when the sentence might be carried out, leaving the family uncertain about his fate.
Anojan's case stems from an online dispute following an incident during a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. In late June, footage circulated on social media showing a young Muslim man kicking a dog as Hindu pilgrims passed, triggering heated religious exchanges online.
During the debate, a social media user allegedly made derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. Anojan responded in Tamil with an insult directed at the Prophet Muhammad.
Although he deleted the comment and published an apology video, screenshots of the post were reportedly sent to his employer in Saudi Arabia and brought to the attention of authorities.
He was arrested in July, and his electronic devices were seized. His social media accounts were subsequently deleted by Saudi officials.
Anoj an's brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, told BBC Sinhala that people in Sri Lanka had contacted the company employing his brother, prompting the matter to be reported to Saudi authorities.
Anoj an was initially sentenced by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals, equivalent to approximately 800,000 US dollars.
However, the case took a dramatic turn on 17 September when Saudi prosecutors appealed for him to be prosecuted under Sharia law rather than the country's cybercrime legislation. The appellate court granted the request and imposed the death penalty.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, confirmed that an appeal seeking a reduction of the original sentence had been unsuccessful.
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is pursuing all available avenues to assist Anojan.
His family met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on 21 September. The president reportedly assured them that the government would make every effort to secure a general pardon and instructed diplomatic representatives to engage with Saudi authorities.
The case has also drawn support from religious leaders across communities. Senior Buddhist leaders from the Ramanna Nikaya and Amarapura Maha Nikaya, together with Hindu religious leaders, submitted a memorandum to the Presidential Secretariat calling for urgent government intervention.
Meanwhile, a four-member Sri Lankan legal delegation is travelling to Saudi Arabia to meet the lawyers handling Anojan's case and discuss possible legal options.
President's Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, who is part of the delegation, told BBC Sinhala that the team would meet representatives from two Saudi law firms involved in the case to discuss the proceedings and determine the next steps.
Despite these efforts, communication between Anojan and his family has stopped.
His brother said on 28 September that the family had contacted the Sri Lankan embassy after failing to hear from him, but was still awaiting an update from officials.
In Saudi Arabia, prisoners facing the death penalty typically lose access to personal mobile phones, with communication generally facilitated through prison authorities.
The case has renewed scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's treatment of people prosecuted over online speech, particularly foreign workers who may face language barriers and difficulties accessing legal representation.
Human rights organisations have previously raised concerns about death sentences imposed over social media activity. In July 2023, Saudi teacher Mohammed Al Ghamdi was sentenced to death over online posts, according to the United Nations. His death sentence was later overturned, and he was reportedly sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The International Organisation for Migration estimates that Saudi Arabia is home to more than 10 million foreign workers, many of whom are employed in low-wage jobs.
While executions for blasphemy are relatively uncommon compared with those for offences such as murder and drug-related crimes, Anojan's case has intensified calls for clemency and renewed debate over the consequences of online expression under Saudi law.
Based on reporting by BBC News