A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a comment he posted on Facebook. Anojan Sivarasa was found guilty of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad following an argument over a video of a dog, sparking a major diplomatic row.
Comment sparked by viral video
Footage of a young Muslim man kicking a dog that had been following Hindu pilgrims in Sri Lanka was circulated widely online in June. In a row in the comments, one Facebook user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, leading Anojan to post a response in Tamil insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
Anojan promptly deleted his comment and posted an apology video, but screenshots had been taken of the post and it was 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.
Family plea and diplomatic efforts
Anojan's brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, said: “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.”
The case has caused widespread outrage in Sri Lanka, with petitions and government bodies there calling for mercy for Anojan. He was initially sentenced to five years in prison and handed a fine of three million Saudi riyals (£600,000). Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said an appeal seeking to reduce his sentence was rejected by Saudi authorities.
In a dramatic turn, Saudi prosecutors appealed for him to be prosecuted under Sharia law. This was granted, and Anojan's sentence was increased to the death penalty.
Loss of contact and fears of execution
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, who promised diplomatic channels were being used to try and secure a pardon for Anojan. Sri Lankan religious leaders have come together from across faiths to demand the government takes 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. However, there are fears that it may be too little too late, as Anojan's family say 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.”
“I plead for mercy for the wrongs committed by my son. Please forgive him and send him back to us,” his mother Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi said in a tearful plea. Saudi authorities have not said when Anojan's execution is expected to take place. The country has a history of only telling families or foreign embassies after executions have been carried out.
