Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Amnesty International urges Saudi Arabia to spare Sri Lankan migrant worker
Amnesty International has called on Saudi authorities to rescind the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted over a social media post. The case has drawn international concern over free speech protections for foreign workers in the kingdom.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Human rights organization Amnesty International on Wednesday appealed to Saudi Arabia to overturn the death penalty against Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan national, citing concerns over the circumstances of his conviction. The Criminal Court in Al Ahsa sentenced Sivarasa on July 27 this year to death, alongside a five-year prison term and a fine of SAR 3 million (approximately USD 800,000), the maximum penalty under the relevant article of Saudi law. The conviction stems from a controversial social media post, raising questions among international observers about the application of Saudi Arabia's cybercrime and security laws against migrant workers with limited legal recourse. Amnesty International's intervention represents the latest international pressure on Riyadh regarding the case, as concerns mount over the treatment of foreign nationals accused of security-related offenses in the kingdom. Sri Lankan authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the matter as of reporting time.