‘Royal’ sent to prison as court adjourns ‘Fintas Group’ hearing

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 16: The Court of Appeals rejected the petition to release Sheikh Khalifa Al-Ali on bail after he voluntarily appeared before the court Wednesday, during the trial of Fintas Group which consists of 13 suspects. The court decided to adjourn the session until Wednesday next week to deliberate on the petition. Sheikh Al-Ali was then referred to the Central Jail. In Wednesday’s session, all the accused appeared before the court apart from the prime suspect, Hamad Al-Haroun.

The suspects were represented by lawyers from Kuwait and Egypt who pleaded for cancellation of the verdict issued against their clients, whereas others pleaded for dismissal of the appeal filed by the Public Prosecution by upholding the lower court’s verdict which acquitted some suspects.

Sheikh Al-Ali is accused of using words publicly and through the Internet, which are deemed offensive to the entity of HH the Amir, as well as spreading false and malicious information about the internal situation of the country and accusing the judiciary of taking bribes — actions that could weaken reverence for the State and cast doubt on one of the three pillars of the country, the judicial authority.

Previously, the Criminal Court sentenced the prime suspect, Hamad Al-Haroon to 10 years in jail with hard labor and sentenced in absentia three other Kuwaitis who helped him escape.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies

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