Brief
Sri Lankan ambassador visits death‑row migrant worker in Saudi prison
Ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad visited Anojan Sivarasa at Dammam Central Prison after an alleged assault and a pending clemency appeal.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Sri Lanka's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, visited migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa at Dammam Central Prison on 8 October, according to the Independent. Anojan, a 24‑year‑old from Kalmunai, has been on death row since a September conviction for insulting Prophet Muhammad in a Facebook post.
What happened
Saudi authorities arrested Anojan on 2 July after he posted a comment insulting the Prophet in response to a viral video that showed a man kicking a stray dog accompanying Hindu pilgrims. He deleted the post, posted an apology video, but screenshots were forwarded to his employer and then to Saudi officials. The Al‑Ahsa Criminal Court sentenced him to death and a fine of 3 million riyals under the cybercrime law. In early October, Anojan was allegedly assaulted by a cellmate, prompting a move to another cell. The ambassador’s visit came a day after Sri Lankan foreign minister Vijitha Herath said embassy staff were barred from meeting Anojan on 6 October.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that a four‑member Sri Lankan legal team filed an appeal with Saudi Arabia’s supreme court through a local law firm on Sunday. Colombo has also appealed to the apex court for clemency, and the government says it will cover legal fees. Sri Lankan MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam claimed the worker’s family was told he had been stabbed in the head, while the foreign minister said prison officials reported only minor scratches and fingernail injuries, adding that no weapon was used.
What was said
Ambassador Ajwad told the embassy’s statement that Anojan was in good health and that prison authorities were attending to his well‑being. Foreign minister Herath said embassy staff were denied access on 6 October and that prison officials described the injuries as “scratches and fingernail injuries to his face.” MP Rasamanickam said the family had been informed the worker faced danger after a head injury.
How it came about
The case follows a broader pattern of Saudi enforcement of its cybercrime law against online speech. Earlier Felo coverage linked Saudi legal actions to regional security concerns, such as the country’s response to Houthi attacks (Saudi Foreign Ministry advisory) and new visa rules for skilled expatriates (visa policy change). The ambassador’s visit underscores Colombo’s diplomatic efforts to secure a pardon for its citizen.
Key facts
- Sri Lankan ambassador Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad visited death‑row prisoner Anojan Sivarasa on 8 October at Dammam Central Prison. (independent.co.uk)
- Anojan was sentenced to death in September for a Facebook post insulting Prophet Muhammad. (independent.co.uk)
- A four‑member Sri Lankan legal team filed an appeal with Saudi Arabia’s supreme court through a local law firm. (independent.co.uk)
- Foreign minister Vijitha Herath said prison officials reported only minor scratches, while MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam claimed the family was told Anojan had been stabbed in the head. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Sri Lankan ambassador visits foreign worker sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia”
