Candidate’s arrest sparks outcry

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KUWAIT CITY, April 24: The decision of the State Security General Department at the Interior Ministry to arrest and interrogate Fourth Constituency candidate Mused Al-Qeraifa for the opinions he expressed during the National Assembly election campaign period has drawn flak from several MPs-elect, who described the move as unjustified and abusive while calling for the release of Al-Qeraifa.

MP-elect Khalid Al-Otaibi considers the move a part of the ministry’s intimidation policy, indicating the government is creating crises and putting things back to square one without any consideration for public interest. He then cited the Penal Code, which states an individual should be summoned through official letter or telephone call since his identity and address are known. MP-elect Fares Al-Otaibi said the unjustified and abusive measures taken by the ministry are unacceptable and a violation of the Constitution. He called for the release of Al-Qeraifa, stressing that the Constitution protects the individuals’ dignity and freedom.

MP-elect Mubarak Al-Hajraf stated that the detention of Al-Qeraifa is common in a police State and it has no space at the Assembly. He added the police State strategy has been curtailing freedom in recent years. MP-elect Osama Al-Zaid said he previously warned about the pile up of errors in the system of the ministry. He asserted that such provocative measures are unjustified. He stressed this manner of dealing with individuals expressing their political views is unacceptable and futile.

MP-elect Shuaib Shaaban thinks the police attitude was adopted by previous governments that failed as per the public and political standards. He urged everyone to bear their political responsibility right now. MP-elect Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi pointed out that an authority that plants seeds of fear will gain nothing but hatred. He underscored the need to preserve individual freedom for the security of the society. He added that arresting a well-known, patriotic and sincere young man like Al-Qeraifa in such manner is a violation of personal freedom. He asked interim Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah to summon individuals according to legal procedures. On the other hand, the Public Relations and Security Media General Department in the ministry issued a press statement affirming that the arrest of Al-Qeraifa was in line with the relevant laws and the directive of the Public Prosecution. It stressed that the ministry is committed to the proper implementation of laws and decisions of the concerned institutions.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court, chaired by Judge Fuad Al-Zewaid, adjourned until next Wednesday the issuance of verdicts on appeals regarding the recent parliamentary election. The court received a total of 13 appeals, two of which are on nullifying the election because of the unconstitutionality of the relevant decree and cancelling the votes for naturalized citizens. The rest of the appeals are on the election results to ensure the accuracy of the counting of votes. The Constitutional Court has assigned judges to check the ballots and election minutes in the Assembly building, including three ballots for former MP and Fourth Constituency candidate Abdullah Fehad.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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