KUWAIT CITY, Sept 20: The Court of Cassation on Thursday upheld the acquittal of a blogger residing outside Kuwait on charges of spreading false news. It also upheld the acquittal of a former National Assembly election candidate who expressed his dissatisfaction with the appointment of undersecretaries in ministries on social media.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court rejected the request to release a Saudi woman accused of beating her maid to death in Sabah Al-Nasser, hence, the continuation of her detention pending trial. This court also postponed the hearing of the case of a citizen and others accused of insulting a segment of society, until Oct 1.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal on Thursday sentenced former MP Bader Al-Dahoum to one year in prison, suspended the execution of the sentence, and set bail at KD 5,000. The court also ordered Al-Dahoum to maintain good conduct for three years to avoid serving the sentence. Al-Dahoum was convicted of insulting Constitutional Court judges during a seminar. Also, the Court of First Instance ordered the Public Authority for the Disabled Affairs (PADA) to amend a citizen’s disability classification to “severe disability,” thus overturning a previous classification of medium disability.

The court based its decision on official medical reports proving the citizen’s deteriorating health condition requires permanent care. Lawyer Ali Matar Al-Wawan, who represented the citizen, emphasized that the ruling is a significant victory for the rights of persons with disabilities and affirms judicial oversight over administrative decisions impacting individuals’ basic rights. He said the court invalidated the prior classification due to its lack of a sound medical basis and contradiction with the Ministry of Health’s reports. Al-Wawan added that this ruling sets an important precedent, allowing all persons with disabilities to review their classifications and claim their full rights in cases of administrative errors or negligence.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff