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● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 16 sources tracked

Anger as man sentenced to death for Facebook comment

Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, had been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook comment allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. However, the death sentence has been overturned. Sivarasa was arrested after a comment he made on Facebook was screenshotted and passed to Saudi authorities and his employer. The case drew international attention and criticism.

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  • ✓ Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook comment.
  • ✓ The comment was reportedly screenshotted and passed to Saudi authorities and to his employer, which led to his arrest.
  • ✓ Saudi Arabia's authorities have overturned the death sentence issued against Anojan Sivarasa.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 16 independent reporting domains (85% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The death sentence against Anojan Sivarasa has been overturned, according to Amnesty International.

Live updates

  1. Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for Sri Lankan migrant worker

    Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, had been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook comment allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. However, the death sentence has been overturned. Sivarasa was arrested after a comment he made on Facebook was screenshotted and passed to Saudi authorities and his employer. The case drew international attention and criticism.

    Why it matters

    The case highlights the strict blasphemy laws in Saudi Arabia and the risks faced by migrant workers. It also raises concerns about freedom of expression and the use of social media. Sri Lanka has been pursuing a legal appeal and diplomatic efforts to seek clemency for Sivarasa.

    What is confirmed

    • Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for a Facebook comment.
    • The comment was reportedly screenshotted and passed to Saudi authorities and to his employer, which led to his arrest.
    • Saudi Arabia's authorities have overturned the death sentence issued against Anojan Sivarasa.

    What to watch next

    • The final outcome of Anojan Sivarasa's case and whether he will be released.
    • The response of Saudi authorities to international criticism and pressure.
    Sources used for this update (17)
    1. The Mirror US — Anger as man sentenced to death for Facebook comment
    2. Amnesty International — Saudi Arabia: Overturn death sentence against Sri Lankan migrant worker over social media post
    3. BBC — Saudi Arabia urged to spare man sentenced to death over Facebook post
    4. Humanists UK — Save Anojan Sivarasa! Humanists rally support for Sri Lankan man facing death penalty for blasphemy in Saudi Arabia
    5. Hindustan Times — A Hindu pilgrimage, a video and 'blasphemy': Why Sri Lankan man is facing death penalty in Saudi
    6. Yahoo — Saudi Court Sentences Sri Lankan Worker to Death for Facebook Post
    7. local12.com — Man accused of secretly recording woman changing at gym, possessing child pornography
    8. www.themirror.com — Anger as man sentenced to death for Facebook comment - The Mirror US
    9. www.bbc.co.uk — Christa Pike now walking after failed US execution, lawyer tells BBC
    10. www.bbc.co.uk — 'I was blamed for my baby's death now NHS needs to change' - BBC
    11. www.myjoyonline.com — Former 'American Idol' contestant sentenced to life without parole for wife's murder - MyJoyOnline
    12. www.amnesty.org — Saudi Arabia: Overturn death sentence against Sri Lankan migrant worker over social media post - Amnesty ....
    confidence 85%
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