A 24-year-old Sri Lankan national is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia after a Facebook comment deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad led to a criminal case, drawing international concern over freedom of expression, access to legal representation and the use of capital punishment.
The man, identified as Anojan Sivarasa, was arrested on July 1, 2026, according to Amnesty International. His case reportedly followed an online dispute connected to a video showing a man kicking a stray dog that had accompanied Hindu pilgrims. During the resulting exchange, Sivarasa posted a comment in response to a remark he considered offensive towards a Hindu deity. His response was subsequently regarded as insulting to the Prophet Muhammad.
According to Amnesty International, Sivarasa told the court that he made the comment in anger, later deleted it and published a video apology expressing remorse. However, the deletion and apology did not prevent criminal proceedings from continuing.
On July 27, the Criminal Court in Al-Ahsa sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals, equivalent to approximately $800,000. The punishment was subsequently increased after the case went before an appeals court.
On September 17, the Court of Appeal in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region imposed the death penalty on Sivarasa under a category of punishment described by Amnesty International as a hadd sentence under Sharia. The significant change from a prison term to a death sentence has become a central issue in the case.
Amnesty International has also raised concerns about Sivarasa's access to legal representation. The organisation reported that he was denied access to a lawyer from the time of his arrest until his initial sentencing, a development that has intensified questions about the fairness of the proceedings.
The human-rights organisation has called on Saudi authorities to overturn the death sentence, reverse the conviction and release him. It argues that executing someone for expressing an opinion would violate fundamental human rights. These are Amnesty International's assessments of the case, rather than a statement of the Saudi court's position.
The case has also prompted efforts in Sri Lanka to secure a different outcome. According to recent reporting, Sri Lankan authorities have pursued legal and diplomatic measures aimed at challenging the sentence and seeking relief for their citizen. His case has attracted renewed attention as his family and supporters await the outcome of the legal process.
The circumstances have highlighted the potential consequences of online disputes that cross religious and cultural boundaries. Comments made during heated exchanges on social media can have serious repercussions, particularly in jurisdictions where speech involving religion is subject to severe criminal penalties.
Saudi Arabia has faced repeated criticism from human-rights organisations over its use of the death penalty and the punishment of online expression. The authorities' approach to such cases remains a subject of international debate, particularly regarding the scope of criminal restrictions and the safeguards available to defendants.
As of October 8, 2026, Amnesty International reports that Sivarasa has appealed the death sentence. His case therefore remains a significant legal and diplomatic concern, although the eventual outcome is not yet established.
The proceedings have renewed calls for the Saudi authorities to reconsider the sentence and for greater protection of defendants' rights. For Sivarasa and his family, the immediate concern is whether the death sentence will be overturned as efforts to challenge the ruling continue.
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