Sri Lankan Youth Sentenced to Death in Saudi Arabia Over Remarks About Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over allegations of making derogatory remarks about Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook. The young man, named Anojan Shivarasa, was arrested in July. His family has had no contact with him since September 28.

According to a BBC report, Mr. Anojan’s family has appealed to the Saudi government to spare his life. His mother, Rasamanikkam Yogalakshmi, has urged the authorities to forgive her son and allow him to return home. The Sri Lankan government is also making diplomatic efforts to have his sentence reduced.

The incident began in late June. A controversy emerged on social media in Sri Lanka over a religious incident. At one point, a person allegedly made derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. In response, Mr. Anojan allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Tamil.

He later deleted the comment and posted a video apologising. However, screenshots of the comment had already been circulated. After the screenshots came to the attention of his employer and Saudi authorities, he was arrested in July.

Following his arrest, his personal devices were seized and his social media accounts were closed. Mr. Anojan’s brother, Hamsidhan Shivarasa, told the BBC that several Sri Lankan individuals emailed his workplace, bringing the matter to the authorities’ attention. The company then informed the Saudi authorities, leading to the case being filed.

Initially, the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court sentenced Mr. Anojan to five years in prison and fined him 3 million Saudi riyals. After his appeal for a reduced sentence was rejected, the case took a new turn on September 17. The Saudi prosecution requested that the case be considered under Sharia law. The appeals court accepted the request and increased his sentence to death.

The Sri Lankan government is in contact with Saudi Arabia to seek a pardon for Mr. Anojan. On September 21, members of his family met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The president assured them that he would make every possible effort to help. A four-member legal delegation from Sri Lanka is travelling to Saudi Arabia to discuss the next legal steps in the case with Saudi lawyers.

Upul Kumarapperuma, a President’s Counsel and member of the delegation, said that two Saudi law firms are handling Mr. Anojan’s case. Meanwhile, Mr. Anojan has had no contact with his family since September 28. The family informed the embassy and requested information about his condition, but they have yet to receive any response.