Saudi Supreme Court sets aside death penalty for Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death penalty imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra.

In a statement posted on social media, the Deputy Minister said the decision was handed down on Tuesday (October 13) and follows sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the government of Sri Lanka.

Sivarasa was sentenced to death for making a social media comment deemed insulting to Islam.