Saudi Arabia overturns death sentence for man over Facebook comment, Sri Lanka says

The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, spurring diplomatic efforts to seek clemency Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has set aside the death sentence handed to a Sri Lankan migrant worker over a comment he made on Facebook, Colombo's Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said.

Faizer Mustafa, a Sri Lankan lawmaker who is involved in legal negotiations with Saudi Arabia regarding Sivarasa's case, confirmed to BBC Sinhala that Saudi Arabia had overturned the death sentence, adding that they are reviewing the Supreme Court's latest ruling.

Saudi Arabia's top court set aside the sentence on Wednesday, Hemachandra said in a Facebook post, thanking the authorities and legal teams of both nations for their efforts.