Kuwait Court Acquits a Kuwaiti in an Assault Case involving Police officers

KUWAIT CITY, March 30: The Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s conviction of a citizen, leading to his acquittal. Case files indicate that the citizen and another person were accused of using force and violence to resist and assault two security officers during the execution of their official duties. The second defendant was charged with personal use of narcotics.

An officer from the Drug Control General Department testified that the two defendants were identified outside a juice shop. The officer stated that while the second defendant was harassing someone near a vehicle, a policeman intervened to request identification, but the latter refused to present his identification card or enter the patrol car.

The Kuwaiti citizen then exited his vehicle and grabbed the policeman to help the other defendant escape, leading to a struggle and the arrest of both men upon the arrival of backup officers. During the appeal, defense lawyer, Bashar Al-Nassar, argued that the necessary elements for an assault charge were not present. He contended that the initial police stop and the demand for identification were unlawful. He asserted that the defendant’s resistance and refusal to comply were legitimate acts of self-defense against illegal procedures.