A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a comment he posted on Facebook.
The man, Anojan Sivarasa, was found guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad following an online argument about a viral video.
The case has triggered widespread outrage in Sri Lanka, with petitions, religious leaders and government officials calling for mercy and diplomatic intervention.
Facebook Argument Over Dog Video
The incident began in June after footage went viral showing a young Muslim man kicking a dog that had been following Hindu pilgrims in Sri Lanka.
According to accounts of the incident, a Facebook user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity in the comment section.
Anojan responded in Tamil with a comment insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
He promptly deleted the comment and posted an apology video. However, screenshots of the post had been taken and sent to his employer, who notified Saudi officials.
Anojan was arrested in July. Saudi authorities seized his digital devices and deleted his social media accounts.
His brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, said the complaint did not originate in Saudi Arabia.
"People in Saudi Arabia knew nothing about this matter. It was individuals in Sri Lanka who sent emails to the company where my brother worked. I do not even wish to mention who those people are," he said.
From Prison Term To Death Penalty
Anojan was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals, about £600,000
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said an appeal seeking to reduce the sentence was rejected by Saudi authorities.
In a dramatic turn, Saudi prosecutors then appealed for him to be prosecuted under Sharia law. The request was granted and his sentence was increased to the death penalty.
Sri Lanka Seeks Diplomatic Intervention
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka has said it is taking all available steps to assist Anojan.
His parents have met with the president of Sri Lanka, who promised that diplomatic channels were being used to try to secure a pardon.
Religious leaders from across faiths in Sri Lanka have also come together to demand government action to secure his release.
A legal delegation is travelling from Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia this week to meet with Anojan’s Saudi defence lawyers.
There are growing fears for his safety as his family says they have lost contact with him.
"My brother hasn't called for two days," Hamsidan told the BBC on September 28.
"We informed the embassy and asked officials to look into the matter and update us. They said they would check. We are still waiting, as we have not yet received a response."
His mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, made a tearful plea for mercy.
"I plead for mercy for the wrongs committed by my son. Please forgive him and send him back to us," she said.
Saudi authorities have not said when the execution is expected to take place. The country has a history of only informing families or foreign embassies after executions have been carried out.
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