Tweets land Kuwaiti activists in jail

A Kuwaiti court has sentenced two opposition activists to prison for allegedly insulting the Emir in Tweets.

The court on Thursday handed Sager al-Hashash a two-year jail term and Nasser al-Deehani a 20-month sentence, defense lawyer Khaled al-Humoud wrote on his own Twitter account.

Deehani was asked to pay 200 dinars (USD 700) to suspend the punishment, while the two verdicts can still be challenged in the countries appeals and supreme courts, Humoud noted.

Several Kuwaiti opposition activists and former lawmakers have sentenced to jail terms over the past months on charges of making remarks deemed offensive to the country’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah.

Many others are on trial on similar charges and for taking part in protests against the Persian Gulf emirate’s Western-backed regime

Criticizing the Emir is illegal in Kuwait and is considered to be a state security offence, with those convicted facing up to five years in jail.

In February, Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the deteriorating human rights situation, noting the use of force against peaceful protesters and regime crackdowns on online activists.

HRW said at least 35 opposition activists and former MPs have either been convicted, are on trial or are under investigation for insulting the Emir or taking part in street protests.