Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inAlisha Rahaman SarkarWednesday 14 October 2026 10:04 BSTAnojan Sivarasa had been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia (Social media)Saudi Arabia’s supreme court has overturned the death penalty handed to Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa for a Facebook post insulting the Prophet Muhammad.The 24-year-old was initially sentenced to five years in prison, but prosecutors successfully appealed to have him tried under Sharia law, resulting in a death sentence in September.The decision to set aside the death penalty follows intensive diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government, which sent a legal team to Riyadh.Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister Arun Hemachandra confirmed the outcome and thanked Saudi Arabia for its cooperation in the matter.It is not yet clear whether Sivarasa, who is currently held at Dammam Central Prison, will face a reduced prison sentence or fresh legal proceedings.In fullSaudi Arabia overturns death sentence of Sri Lankan man convicted over Facebook postMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in