Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has pledged his support for efforts to save the life of Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who has reportedly been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a social media post.
President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha and President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma met Nasheed in the Maldives on Wednesday as an initial step in their diplomatic mission to seek clemency for Sivarasa.
According to a statement issued following the meeting, Nasheed acknowledged the seriousness of Sivarasa’s remarks concerning the Muslim community but said he would support efforts to save the young man’s life on humanitarian grounds.
The Sri Lankan Government has appointed Musthapha and Kumarapperuma as special diplomatic envoys to pursue efforts on behalf of Sivarasa in Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced the decision in Parliament.
The statement said the two lawyers were undertaking the mission following interventions by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Herath.
It added that Musthapha and Kumarapperuma would undertake the mission using their own funds and that no government funds would be used for the trip.
Kumarapperuma said the meeting with Nasheed was successful and that the two envoys were preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days.
