Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed Pledges Support t

The legal and diplomatic effort to seek relief for Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a social media post, was officially launched today (23) by President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha and President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma.

The diplomatic mission is being undertaken following the direct intervention of the President and the Foreign Minister. The two lawyers are undertaking their travel using their own funds rather than government funds, according to the statement.

The Government decided yesterday (22) to send the two lawyers to Saudi Arabia as special diplomatic envoys to seek relief for Anojan. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath officially announced the decision in Parliament yesterday.

As an initial step in the mission, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha and President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma met former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed in the Maldives this afternoon and discussed the request for assistance in Anojan’s case.

Mohamed Nasheed was the Maldives’ first democratically elected president and is also an internationally recognised politician and activist.

During the meeting, Nasheed acknowledged the seriousness of Anojan’s social media post in relation to the Muslim community but said he was prepared to support the young Sri Lankan on humanitarian grounds. He also pledged to provide his fullest possible assistance towards efforts to save Anojan’s life, according to the statement.

President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma said the meeting held in the Maldives today was highly successful and confirmed that they are preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days.