By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait — Opposition leader and former MP Mussallam al-Barrak was sentenced to five years in prison last Monday for allegedly insulting the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The court declared that Barrak was guilty of “undermining the Emir’s status.”
In Kuwait, criticizing the emir is a crime, and carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. Barrack allegedly committed the crime on October fifteenth, at the height of a standoff between the government and former lawmakers over a decree that amended the 2006 voter law, reducing the number of candidates from four to two. He was detained for four days in late October and was released on bail. The government said that the amendment was necessary because it “addressed legal loopholes and brought the country in line with international election standards.” The bill’s opposers said that “it was meant to reduce its influence and ensure the election of a rubber-stamped parliament.” Barrak also faces trial on several other counts, including charges of storming parliament and participating in protests.
“The court has sentenced the defendant Mussallam al-Barrak to five years in prison with immediate effect,” said Judge Wael al-Atiqi, amid tight security at the Palace of Justice. After receiving the sentence, Barrak gave a speech to his supporters, proclaiming his innocence. “[The] ruling is illegal but I will give myself up to police if they come to pick me up,” said Barrak at his residence. Since the sentence is set to begin immediately, police can arrest him at any time.
One of Barrak’s attorneys, Abdullah al-Ahmed, said that the ruling was moot. “The ruling is null and void because it violated the legal procedures and for failing to provide the defense team with sufficient guarantees,” said al-Ahmed. “We will appeal against the ruling in the appeals court.” This is not the first time that Barrak’s attorneys had shown their frustrations with the Palace of Justice. On April 8, they walked out of the court when Judge al-Atqi refused to hear the defense team’s witnesses.
Hundreds of Barrak’s supporters rushed to his Al-Andalus residence, 12 miles away from Kuwait City, to show their support after the sentence. Activists have agreed to hold a demonstration in protest of the ruling next Monday. Former MPs also visited Barrak’s residence to show their support. “The ruling is purely political… far away from the principles of justice.”
Recently, Kuwait has not been hesitant to throw opposition supporters in prison, especially those who have used social media to voice their criticisms. One activist was sentenced to ten years in prison after he was convicted of using Twitter to insult the Emir.
For further information, please see:
Ahram Online — Kuwait Opposition Leader Jailed for ‘Insulting’ Emir Sheikh Sabah — 15 April 2013
Al Arabiya — Kuwaiti Opposition Leader Jailed for 5 Years for Insulting Emir — 15 April 2013
Al Jazeera — Kuwait Jails Former MP for ‘Insulting Emir’ — 15 April 2013
Gulf News — Kuwait Opposition Leader Jailed for 5 Years for Insulting Emir — 15 April 2013
