Sri Lankan Hindu worker faces death sentence in Saudi Arabia over Facebook blasphemy allegation

Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu migrant worker, faces capital punishment in Saudi Arabia following blasphemy allegations that began with a Facebook comment. The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court initially sentenced him to five years imprisonment and a fine of three million Saudi riyals, but prosecutors appealed for trial under Sharia Law, leading the appellate court to impose the death penalty.

The comment, reportedly made in response to an insult against a Hindu deity, was against Islam and Prophet Muhammad. Anojan deleted the post and uploaded an apology video, but someone had already taken a screenshot and reported it to his employer and Saudi authorities, resulting in his arrest in July. His brother stated that individuals in Sri Lanka sent emails to Anojan's workplace, triggering the chain of events.

Anojan's family has had no contact with him since September 28. His personal devices remain confiscated. Saudi Arabia's practice of executing prisoners without notifying families or foreign embassies beforehand has left his relatives in deep distress as they pursue legal and diplomatic avenues for his release.