The family of 24-year-old Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu migrant worker facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, has pleaded for his release. He was found guilty by an appellate court of alleged blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over a Facebook comment that was in retaliation for a remark attacking Hinduism.
Nationwide civil society petitions and public outcry have been triggered by the case. Coordinated diplomatic efforts to request clemency are in progress by several political parties and government agencies. However, the family has not received any information regarding his condition since 28th September, reported BBC. They have been told by the Sri Lankan authorities to hold off on making any more statements while diplomatic efforts are underway.
The date of the sentence’s execution continues to be unknown because Saudi officials have not released an official timeframe. The kingdom has a history of performing executions without telling foreign embassies or families. The relatives are only informed after the act is carried out.
The young man was charged after an event at a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka sparked a social media debate. A video of a Muslim individual kicking a dog went viral in late June, leading to online confrontations. Afterwards, a user abused a Hindu deity, which triggered a response from Anjon.
Anojan instantly deleted his Tamil comment and even uploaded an apology video. However, a screenshot was brought to the notice of his employer and Saudi officials, leading to his imprisonment in July. Afterwards, Saudi authorities confiscated his personal devices and erased his social media accounts.
His brother Hamsidan Sivarasa expressed, “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,” while talking to the BBC. Anojan’s employer alerted Saudi Arabian authorities, who filed a complaint against him.
The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court first sentenced Anojan to five years in jail and a fine of three million Saudi riyals. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the plea for a sentence reduction was denied.
On 17th September, Saudi prosecutors launched an appeal to prosecute Anojan according to Sharia Law rather than the nation’s cybercrime laws. The submission to increase his sentence to the death penalty was approved by the appellate court. However, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that it is doing everything in its power to help Anojan.
His family members have also met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who assured them of complete support in the matter. Furthermore, a four-person legal delegation from Sri Lanka is visiting Saudi Arabia this week to meet with the local defence attorneys for Anojan. He has also received support from Hindu and Buddhist organisations. Meanwhile, there is no longer any contact between Anojan and his family.
