Only govt can decide on petrol rates: court – Detention of IS-linked group extended

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KUWAIT CITY, April 23: The Court of Appeals overturned the verdict of the First Instance Court which cancelled Ministerial Council Decision No. 32/2016 on the petrol price hike. The higher court then affirmed that the Cabinet has the authority to take such a decision.

The court also rejected the appeal and request to declare the unconstitutionality of Article Two of Law No. 79/1995 on increasing service charges and other fees for the benefit of the State.

The First Instance Court previously ruled on the cancellation of ministerial Decision No. 32/2016 to increase the price of petrol in a case filed by attorneys Nawaf Al-Fuzei, Hisham Al-Baghli, Ali Al-Ali and Maha Shashtar against the Cabinet and the director general of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).

In his statement after the verdict was issued, Attorney Ali Al-Ali announced he will challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision before the Court of Cassation.

He requested the Court of Appeals to reject the Cabinet’s appeal against the lower court’s verdict, arguing that the Cabinet’s decision was based on illegal procedures which led to the increase of fuel prices, given that the authority for taking such actions was in the hands of KPC established through Decree No. 6/1980 which gave the corporation sole mandate over issues like fuel price increase.

The government defended its decision by arguing that ministerial Decision No. 32/2016 is considered a recommendation not an administrative decision, indicating the litigant misinterpreted the law as the ministerial recommendation was described as a decision on which the fuel price hike was based. The government also argued that the litigant misinterpreted the law with regard to money earned by KPC as taxes; whereas any financial returns that got to KNPC is public money and not taxes.

This is in response to the defense panel’s invocation of Article 134 of the Constitution which states, “No general tax may be established, amended or abolished except through a law.”

In this case, the defense panel concluded that the decision of the government was not presented to the Parliament in order to be supported by legislation, let alone the failure to adhere to Article Four of Law No. 6/1980 on the establishment of KPC and its mandates.

Detention extended: The Detention Renewal Judge has extended the detention of four Kuwaitis and a Syrian national for 21 more days for investigations over their suspected link with DAESH terrorist organization and allegations against them of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks in Kuwait and the Philippines.

On the day of the last court session, the suspects were taken to court amid tight security.

During the court session, they all denied the allegations completely, and their counsel pleaded with the court to release them on bail based on conditions deemed fit.

It will be recalled that the Philippines authorities announced foiling the planned terrorist attack after arresting a Kuwaiti suspect and his Syrian wife. The couple was suspected to be members of DAESH.

Preliminary investigations revealed that they were planning to carry out terrorist activities in a particular US Army base inside Kuwait, a Hussainia in Sulaibikhat and a guest house for Iraqi visitors in Abdali area.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud

Al-Seyassah Staff

This news has been read 8515 times!

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