Saudi Arabia acquits and releases Sri Lankan youth Anojan Sivarasa after diplomatic intervention
Summarised by AI from 14 articles
A Saudi Arabian primary court has acquitted and released Sri Lankan youth Anojan Sivarasa, clearing him of all charges after he was previously sentenced to death over a Facebook post deemed defamatory toward Prophet Muhammad.
The Eastern Province Court of Appeal sentenced Sivarasa to death on 17 September 2026. The sentence was overturned on 14 October, and Saudi public prosecutors formally dropped further judicial proceedings on 9 November.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced that the Sri Lankan government will cover all legal expenses and arrange Sivarasa's return to Sri Lanka within the coming days.
On 12 November, Sivarasa's family met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat to express their gratitude for state intervention, reporting that Sivarasa is in good health.
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How the story developed
- EසිதThis storyForeign Minister Vijitha Herath announced government plans to fund Sivarasa's return to Sri Lanka.
- EසිதSaudi Arabia dropped all legal proceedings and cleared Anojan Sivarasa of all charges.
- සිThe Myanmar Hindu Munnani commended President Dissanayake for securing the commutation of Sivarasa's sentence.
- සිதAmbassador Ameer Ajwad visited Anojan Sivarasa in prison to discuss upcoming retrial proceedings.
