Anojan, freed from the death penalty, discusses next steps

After the death penalty imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who is detained at Dammam Central Prison in Saudi Arabia, was abolished, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. O.L. Ameer Ajwad, met him yesterday (27th) to discuss his future legal steps.

According to a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, this meeting was primarily aimed at informing him about the new judicial procedure to be held in the future after the abolition of the death penalty.

Anojan's fate was determined by a post he made on a social media network. Saudi authorities arrested him, accusing him of making the post in a manner that insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad, and initially, he was sentenced to five years in prison and a massive fine of three million Saudi Riyals. However, the country's Court of Appeal later escalated that sentence to the death penalty.

However, as a result of continuous diplomatic and legal interventions carried out jointly by the Sri Lankan government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, various religious leaders, and international human rights organizations, on October 13, 2026, the Saudi Supreme Court abolished the death penalty and decided to refer the case for retrial.

In light of this new trial, the Ambassador has pointed out to Anojan the importance of properly presenting all facts within the existing legal process. Mr. Ameer Ajwad emphasized that the Sri Lankan Embassy is committed to continuously providing the necessary legal and diplomatic support, as well as consular services, for this purpose. Furthermore, the need for very close coordination among Anojan, his lawyers, and the Embassy to ensure the success of the upcoming legal proceedings was also discussed.

The Ambassador further affirmed that full respect is accorded to the independence of the Saudi Arabian judiciary and its legal procedures throughout this entire process. During his visit, the Ambassador also met with Dammam Prison authorities and expressed his gratitude, appreciating their continuous concern for Anojan Sivarasa's welfare and the cooperation extended to the Sri Lankan Embassy.