India, Oct. 8 -- Amnesty International has called on Saudi Arabian authorities to overturn the death sentence imposed on 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa over a Facebook comment deemed insulting to Prophet Mohammad. The organisation is also seeking his immediate and unconditional release.
Arrest and Initial Sentence
Sivarasa was arrested on July 1, 2026, after the social media post. According to Amnesty, he told a judge that he made the comment in anger, later deleted it and posted a video apologising for it.
On July 27, the Criminal Court in Al Ahsa sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a SAR 3 million fine, approximately $800,000, under Article 6 of Saudi Arabia's Anti-Cybercrime Law. Amnesty said he di...