A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia after an appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over a Facebook comment. His mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, has appealed for mercy, saying through tears, "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 mounting diplomatic efforts to seek clemency. The family has reportedly received no updates on his condition since 28 September, and the Sri Lankan government has instructed them to refrain from making further statements.
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