A Saudi court overturned the death sentence of a Sri Lankan migrant worker who had been convicted of blasphemy in September for a Facebook comment, said Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra on Wednesday.
Anojan Sivarasa, 27, had been sentenced to death by a Saudi appellate court for an allegedly derogatory comment he had made about Islam and Prophet Muhammad, reported BBC.
In June, video footage of a Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims was widely shared on social media. During the religious arguments that followed online, a user reportedly posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity. In response, Sivarasa made the allegedly insulting comments, which he reportedly deleted later. He had also posted a video apologising for his alleged comment.
A screenshot of his comment was sent to his employer and Saudi officials, leading to him getting arrested in July, reported BBC.
The case had spurred diplomatic efforts by Sri Lanka to seek clemency for Sivarasa.
On Wednesday, Hemachandra said that the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia had set aside the judgement imposing the death penalty on Sivarasa on Tuesday.
“My sincere appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation,” said the Sri Lankan deputy foreign minister.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch called for...