Anoj an, who had been working in Saudi Arabia, was arrested in July after a social media exchange in which he posted a comment in Tamil insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. He deleted the comment shortly afterwards and later issued an apology video, but screenshots of the post were reportedly sent to his employer and Saudi authorities.
According to his family, the social media dispute began after footage of a Muslim man kicking a dog during a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka circulated online, prompting religious arguments. During the exchange, another user allegedly made derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, to which Anojan responded with the offending comment.
His brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, said individuals in Sri Lanka contacted the company where Anojan worked, after which the company notified Saudi authorities and a case was opened against him.
Anoj an was initially sentenced by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals, equivalent to about $800,000. An appeal seeking a reduction of the sentence was rejected, according to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
The case took a dramatic turn on September 17 when Saudi prosecutors appealed for Anojan to be prosecuted under Sharia law rather than the country’s cybercrime legislation. The appellate court granted the request and increased his punishment to the death penalty.
The development has prompted diplomatic efforts by the Sri Lankan government, with authorities seeking clemency for Anojan.
His family met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on September 21, and the President assured them that the government would make every effort to secure a pardon through diplomatic channels.
Religious leaders from Buddhist and Hindu communities have also called for urgent government intervention, while a four-member Sri Lankan legal delegation is travelling to Saudi Arabia to meet Anojan’s local defence lawyers and discuss the next steps in his case.
However, communication between Anojan and his family has reportedly stopped. His brother said on September 28 that the family had informed the Sri Lankan embassy after Anojan failed to contact them for two days but had yet to receive an update.
Saudi authorities have not announced an execution date, and it remains unclear when the sentence could be carried out.
Anoj an’s mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, has publicly appealed for mercy, saying, “I plead for mercy for the wrongs committed by my son. Please forgive him and send him back to us.”
The case has also renewed concerns among human rights organisations over severe punishments for online speech in Saudi Arabia, particularly for migrant workers who may face language barriers and difficulties accessing legal representation.
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