Saudi Police Arrest Sri Lankan Migrant Worker Over Alleged Derogatory Social Media Post
A Sri Lankan migrant worker employed in Saudi Arabia has been arrested by Saudi authorities following an allegedly derogatory comment about the Prophet Muhammad posted on Facebook, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The individual, a resident of Kalmunai in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, was reportedly working in the construction sector in Saudi Arabia at the time of his arrest.
Online Dispute Linked to Earlier Incident in Sri Lanka
According to sources, the controversy originated from a separate incident in Kalmunai involving the alleged mistreatment of a dog named “Subramaniyam.” The animal was reportedly accompanying a group of pilgrims traveling to the historic Kataragama temple when it was attacked.
The incident generated significant public attention and widespread discussion on social media. The person accused of attacking the dog was arrested by Sri Lankan police but was later released after issuing a public apology. Rather than ending the controversy, the release reportedly intensified online debates, with users expressing sharply divided opinions.
Sources say that during one of these heated exchanges on Facebook, the Saudi-based Sri Lankan worker posted a comment that was widely viewed as derogatory toward the Prophet Muhammad.
Public Apology Failed to Ease Backlash
As criticism mounted, the worker released a video on social media apologizing for his remarks. In the video, he expressed regret over the comment and said it had been made during an emotionally charged online argument.
Despite the apology, the controversy continued to spread across social media platforms, with many users calling for legal action.
Complaint Leads to Arrest
According to sources, several individuals and community groups reported the Facebook comment to Saudi authorities and also informed the worker’s employer. An official complaint was subsequently filed.
Saudi law enforcement authorities reportedly arrested the suspect, who remains in custody while legal proceedings continue, according to sources.
Saudi Arabia enforces strict laws concerning religious values and online conduct. Authorities have consistently warned that content deemed offensive to religion or public order may result in criminal prosecution under the Kingdom’s cybercrime and other applicable laws.
Diplomatic and community representatives frequently advise expatriates living and working in Saudi Arabia to remain aware of local laws and cultural sensitivities, particularly when using social media, where violations can carry severe legal consequences.
At the time of publication, Saudi authorities had not publicly released additional details regarding the case, and the allegations have not been independently verified.
