Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has urged Saudi Arabian authorities to grant clemency to Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, following reports that his five-year prison sentence had been escalated to a death sentence over an offensive social media comment.
Sabry said the reported development was a matter of serious concern, while noting that Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry had not confirmed that a death sentence had been imposed and that the formal written judgment was still awaited.
He said respecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and legal system should not prevent concerns being raised over what he described as a disproportionate punishment.
Sabry said a five-year prison sentence for an offensive social media comment was excessive and argued that imposing the death penalty for such an act would be disproportionate and unacceptable.
He also said reports that Sivarasa had removed the comment within minutes and subsequently issued a public video apology should be taken into consideration.
“An offensive remark should not extinguish a person’s opportunity to repent, learn and rebuild his life,” Sabry said.
Referring to his Islamic faith, the former Foreign Minister stressed the importance of mercy and compassion when dealing with human failings.
He called on the Sri Lankan Government to ensure that Sivarasa receives effective legal assistance and to pursue urgent diplomatic intervention at the highest level.
Sabry also urged the Saudi authorities to show mercy and grant Sivarasa clemency, saying he should be given an opportunity to return to his family and rebuild his life.
