Saudi Supreme Court overturns death sentence for Sri Lankan worker over Facebook comment
publishers 28articles 33first reported 5 Oct, 22:28 UTCdeveloping since 6 Oct · 15 editions
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, Sri Lankan officials said Wednesday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said the court issued its decision on October 13 following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by Sri Lanka. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed the ruling and said the government would continue assisting Sivarasa and his family until the remaining legal proceedings conclude.
The case arose from an online dispute in June after footage circulated of a Muslim man kicking a dog that was following Hindu pilgrims in Sri Lanka. Reports said another social media user made derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, prompting Sivarasa to post a response about the Prophet Muhammad. He deleted the comment and later posted an apology video, but a screenshot was sent to his employer and Saudi authorities.
Sivarasa was arrested in Saudi Arabia in July. The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court initially sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals, about $800,000, before an appellate court imposed the death penalty, according to multiple reports.
Sivarasa remains imprisoned, Middle East Eye reported. Saudi and Sri Lankan officials have not announced whether the prison term and fine remain in effect or what further proceedings will follow.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 207 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 28
- Source articles
- 33
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 207 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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