Politics

36 Bottles of Booze, But No Crime? Kuwait Court Frees Suspects Over Legal Error

Published

2 months ago

July 31, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, July 31: The Misdemeanor Court acquitted two individuals charged with liquor trafficking after they were arrested in an entrapment set up by the Drug Control General Department, citing invalid arrest and search procedures. In its ruling, the court affirmed that the arguments presented by Attorney Abdul Mohsen Al-Qattan (the defendants’ lawyer) regarding the invalidity of the arrest and search warrant, as it was issued after expiration, are valid and based on the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The court cited Article 44 of the Code, stipulating that a written search warrant must be issued when necessary, which was not the case when the defendants were arrested. It asserted that mere suspicion or observation of the defendants in an abnormal condition does not constitute a case of flagrante delicto that justifies an arrest without a warrant. The Public Prosecution charged the defendants with possessing alcoholic beverages for trafficking, after they were arrested in Hawally when a secret agent gave them marked money to purchase the liquor.

A total of 27 Chivas Regal bottles and 36 Black Label bottles were confiscated from the defendants, in addition to cash amounting to KD395. The arresting officer indicated that the defendants admitted that the confiscated items belonged to them for sale. However, Al-Qattan argued that the search warrant was not valid at the time of arrest, which renders the arrest and subsequent search invalid, as well as the evidence derived from such procedures. The court accepted this argument and acquitted the defendants.

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

Related Topics:Booze Bottles Court Crime Error frees Kuwait legal Suspects

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One Person Injured as Firefighters Battle Al-Rawdah Blaze

Published

22 minutes ago

September 20, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 20: Firefighting teams managed to bring a house fire under control in the Al-Rawdah area on Saturday afternoon. According to the Fire Department, the teams quickly evacuated the house to ensure the safety of its occupants before tackling the blaze. Firefighters were able to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby properties. The incident left one person injured, who was immediately handed over to emergency medical teams for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Politics

Court clears blogger, ex-candidate; murder suspect remains in custody

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2025

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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

Politics

Two Famous Kuwait Celebs Arrested in Salmiya with Drugs and Alcohol Possession

Published

3 hours ago

September 20, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 20: Officers from the Hawally Security Directorate arrested a famous artist in Salmiya for the possession of narcotics, sex toys and alcohol, reports Al-Seyassah daily. A security source disclosed that, as per the instructions of the Head of the Public Security Sector in the Interior Ministry Major General Hamad Al-Munifi, the officers apprehended the famous artist who was referred to the Drug Control General Department (DCGD), along with the confiscated items. The source added that the officers also arrested another famous artist with a young woman, as they were found to be in an abnormal condition. The source confirmed that the arrests happened after the Hawally Security Directorate deployed security forces throughout the governorate, ensuring the enforcement of the law against everyone, as “no one is above the law.”