KUWAIT CITY, July 28: The Criminal Court, presided over by Counselor Nayef Al-Dahoum, sentenced an activist involved in the “Bedoun” case, identified only as “MB,” to three years in prison with hard labor, followed by deportation after serving his sentence, on charges of broadcasting false news.
In its ruling, the court emphasized that disseminating news, especially content that damages the prestige and reputation of the state, requires careful verification and investigation. However, the defendant was found to have exceeded these limits by publishing material intended to incite public opinion against Kuwait.
The court noted that the defendant claimed he had no evidence of the work carried out by the Central Agency for Stateless (Bedoun), expecting state agencies to provide him with reports and updates on demand. Yet, his defense relied solely on unsubstantiated and scattered allegations, which the court said were based on distorted perceptions rather than facts. These claims led to unjust conclusions that contradicted Kuwait’s established commitment to human rights, ultimately undermining the state’s prestige and reputation.
The court further asserted that the accused’s actions were not aimed at reform but rather amounted to sedition and the promotion of widespread corruption. As such, it was justified in convicting him and imposing a single sentence—the harsher penalty for the more serious charge.
Regarding the defendant’s plea for leniency, the court rejected the request, citing his criminal record, which showed previous convictions where leniency had been granted but failed to deter him from repeating offenses.
