KUWAIT CITY, June 28: A Kuwaiti blogger and journalist was back home Monday evening after a Kuwaiti court has ordered his release on bail. He had been arrested on accusations of insulting the Gulf Arab country’s ruler, his lawyer said on Monday. Mohammad Abdul-Kader al-Jassem, a staunch critic of the government, was detained on May 11 after a complaint against him was issued by the Amiri Diwan. He was freed after posting a bail of KD 2,000 ($6,861), lawyer Jasser Al-Jidei said, adding his client faces up to 18 years in prison if convicted. “A medical report (submitted to the court) said he was not in good health,” Jidei said, without elaborating. Jassem is known to have heart problems. He went on hunger strike after he was arrested but ended it over health concerns.

On his website, the blogger criticised the ruling family and accused Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah of mismanagement and corruption. In April, Jassem was sentenced to six months in prison for defaming the prime minister, a ruling he is appealing, and he faces two other cases in courts. Washington voiced concern about Jassem’s case and raised the matter with Kuwait, whose foreign minister was later quoted as saying the US comments amounted to interference in Kuwaiti affairs. Last week, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on Kuwait’s ruler to intervene for his release, urging the Amir to “acknowledge that critical writing such as Jassem’s has an established place in Kuwaiti society and should not be criminalised.”

Jassem, who has written several books on Kuwaiti politics, is also accused of spreading false news that could harm Kuwait’s interests. He denies all charges. During the session, the main defense lawyer Al-Jidei had requested the court to release his client on any guarantee. During a previous session, attorney Jidei had told the Arab Times he is not only defending Mohamed Al-Jassem, but the freedom of opinion, legitimacy and application of the law and respect for it.
The session was presided by Judge Adel Al-Huwaidi.