Sri Lankan migrant faces death penalty in Saudi Arabia over Facebook comment

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia after an appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over a comment he posted on Facebook.

Anojan Sivarasa’s mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, has appealed for mercy for her son, who was arrested in Saudi Arabia after his social media comment was reported to authorities.

Speaking through tears, Yogalakshmi said: “I plead for mercy for the wrongs committed by my son. Please forgive him and send him back to us.”

The case has triggered widespread concern in Sri Lanka, with civil society groups filing petitions and political parties and government agencies moun...