- Saudi Arabia’s supreme court has overturned the death penalty handed to Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa for a Facebook post insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
- The 24-year-old was initially sentenced to five years in prison, but prosecutors successfully appealed to have him tried under Sharia law, resulting in a death sentence in September.
- The decision to set aside the death penalty follows intensive diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government, which sent a legal team to Riyadh.
- Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the outcome and thanked Saudi Arabia for its cooperation in the matter.
- It is not yet clear whether Sivarasa, who is currently held at Dammam Central Prison, will face a reduced prison sentence or fresh legal proceedings.
IN FULL
