Kuwait Court Hands 5-Year Terms for Insulting UAE, Publishing False News

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 30: The State Security and Terrorism Crimes Circuit of Kuwait’s Criminal Court has issued a series of verdicts in separate cases involving social media posts, alleged publication of false news, insults against the Emirate’s leadership and incitement of sectarian strife.

The court sentenced T.D. in absentia to five years in prison with hard labor for insulting the Emir through his account on the X platform. The court also ordered the destruction of the offending content.

In another case, M.M. and L.H. were each sentenced in absentia to five years in prison with hard labor for publishing and broadcasting what the court described as false news concerning Kuwait’s internal affairs through their X accounts. The court also ordered the destruction of the offending content.

The court acquitted M.S. of one charge and refrained from imposing a sentence on another, instead requiring him to provide a KD 5,000 guarantee and maintain good conduct for two years. The case arose from his appearance on a satellite television channel during which he discussed the war and Iranian policy in the region.

The court also sentenced A.F. in absentia to five years in prison with hard labor for insulting the Emirate’s leadership through his X account, while A.M. was sentenced to two years with hard labor for reposting the offending material.

In a separate case, M.M. was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor for inciting sectarian strife through his X account.

Meanwhile, the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case against M.F. and referred the case to another circuit for a later hearing.