Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for man over Facebook comment
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of a Sri Lankan migrant worker who was convicted of blasphemy for a Facebook comment. The case had sparked significant diplomatic efforts and international outcry from human rights organizations.
Why it matters
The case highlights the severe legal consequences of online speech in Saudi Arabia and the role of international diplomatic pressure in human rights cases.
Image source, Human Rights Watch Image caption, The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, spurring diplomatic efforts to seek clemency
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence handed to a Sri Lankan migrant worker over a comment he made on Facebook, Colombo's Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said.
Anojan Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over his comment.
The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka , spurring diplomatic efforts to seek clemency.
Saudi Arabia's top court set aside the sentence on Wednesday, Hemachandra said in a post on Facebook, where he thanked the authorities and legal teams of both nations for their efforts.
In late June, footage of a young Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims circulated widely on social media, triggering religious arguments online.
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