A group of opposition MPs has made a joint appeal to Saudi Arabia seeking Royal clemency for Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who is facing a death sentence in the Kingdom.
In a letter dated September 24 and addressed to the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, the MPs appealed for urgent and compassionate assistance to spare Anojan from punishment and save his life.
The MPs said they had learned that Anojan’s original sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a fine had been enhanced to a death sentence following proceedings before a higher court.
Recent reports on the case have also confirmed that his initial prison sentence was subsequently increased to a death sentence.
The letter states that Anojan had immediately retracted and deleted the Facebook comment connected to the case and had also apologised. The MPs maintained that he had not intended to disrespect or offend Islam.
They also called on the Sri Lankan Government to provide Parliament and the public with confirmed information on the case, including the nature of the offence, the legal and diplomatic measures taken and Anojan’s current situation.
The MPs appealed to the Saudi Government to consider the case on humanitarian grounds and grant Anojan royal clemency, citing the values of tolerance and empathy.
The appeal comes as both Government and opposition representatives pursue diplomatic efforts seeking clemency for Anojan. (Newswire)
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