The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has overturned the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, following sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan Government.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism confirmed in a media release issued on October 14 that the Saudi Supreme Court had set aside the death sentence on October 13.
The Ministry described the ruling as a significant breakthrough in efforts to secure a favourable outcome in Sivarasa’s case.
According to diplomatic sources, the decision followed an appeal filed before the Saudi Supreme Court on October 11, challenging a ruling delivered by the Saudi Court of Appeal on September 21.
Following the Court of Appeal ruling, the Sri Lankan Government, led by the President and Foreign Minister, initiated diplomatic and legal efforts to challenge the death sentence.
A special legal delegation comprising Additional Solicitor General Azad Navavi, President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma and attorney Hafeel Farisz travelled to Riyadh to pursue the appeal.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amir Ajwad, also engaged extensively with Saudi authorities, working alongside the legal team and embassy officials.
According to diplomatic sources, the Supreme Court communicated its decision to overturn the Court of Appeal ruling on October 13.
The Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government, Sri Lankan diplomatic officials, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their efforts.
However, uncertainty remains over Sivarasa’s legal status.
Diplomatic sources said it has not yet been confirmed whether Sivarasa will be required to serve the original five-year prison sentence imposed under Saudi Arabia’s anti-cybercrime law or whether his entire conviction has been overturned. (Newswire)
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