KUWAIT CITY, June 16 : In a decisive ruling that reaffirmed public confidence in justice and the rule of law, Kuwait’s Criminal Court on Sunday sentenced the murderer of traveler Hani Al-Moussawi to death. The verdict was delivered during a session presided over by Judge Nayef Al-Dahoum, following the defendant’s confession to the premeditated killing—an act the court described as deeply rooted in malicious intent and representative of dangerous criminal behavior.

The court rejected the defense’s argument that the accused suffered from paranoid delusional disorder, rendering him incapable of criminal responsibility. Relying on a comprehensive medical evaluation conducted by the Kuwait Center for Mental Health, the court confirmed that the defendant was fully mentally competent at the time of the crime.

The forensic report concluded that the defendant’s mental disorder did not impair his ability to perceive the nature of his actions or to distinguish right from wrong. The medical panel found no causal link between his psychological condition and the murder, stating that he retained full cognitive awareness and the capacity for judgment.

“The court is assured by the conclusions of the expert committee and is convinced that the defendant committed the crime with full awareness, intention, and deliberation,” the verdict stated. It further emphasized that the defendant had confessed freely and without coercion during the Public Prosecution’s investigation, admitting that he had intentionally and methodically taken the life of Hani Al-Moussawi.

The ruling underscored the legal and moral gravity of the crime, describing premeditated murder as one of the most egregious violations against humanity. “This crime reflects a deep-rooted moral depravity and presents a serious threat to the safety of society,” the judgment noted. “Retribution in such cases is essential—not only as a punishment but also as a deterrent to those who may contemplate similar acts.”

In its closing remarks, the court highlighted the broader social implications of the crime: “The accused committed an act of cold-blooded aggression with no regard for consequences. His punishment must serve as a message to all those who might seek to destroy the sanctity of human life. Upholding justice is essential for protecting society, preserving life, and reinforcing the rule of law.”

The decision was welcomed by the victim’s family and legal team. Lawyer Hassan Al-Moussawi, representing the heirs of the deceased, expressed his gratitude for the swift and just ruling. “May the soul of Hani Al-Moussawi rest in peace,” he said. “This ruling is a testament to the strength of the Kuwaiti legal system. We deeply appreciate the solidarity shown by Kuwaiti society, which stood by the victim’s family in condemning this brutal and inhumane act.”

Al-Moussawi added that the legal proceedings were conducted with fairness and transparency, ensuring the rights of all parties, including the accused. “Throughout this process, we have remained committed to justice, confident that the truth would prevail—and it has.”

KUWAIT CITY, June 17: The Ministry of Interior announced on Monday the arrest of a juvenile who deliberately misused the emergency hotline (112) by making a false call, causing unnecessary disruption to security authorities. Legal procedures have been initiated against the individual, and he has been referred to the competent authorities for further action.

According to security sources cited by the Arab Times, the juvenile made the fake call to the operations room in connection with the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, using it as a prank to amuse his friends. The incident, which was recorded on video and later shared on social media, was intended to provoke laughter but instead sparked concern over the misuse of critical emergency services.

The Ministry emphasized that such actions are a serious violation of the law. It warned that misuse of emergency services negatively impacts the operations of security and rescue teams, potentially endangering lives by delaying responses to genuine emergencies.

Authorities have reiterated that emergency hotlines should not be used for jokes or social media content. The Ministry urged the public to act responsibly and reminded citizens that any attempt to obstruct or interfere with emergency operations will be met with strict legal consequences.

KUWAIT CITY, June 16: The Criminal and Cassation courts issued a series of deterrent rulings in cases related to the embezzlement of public funds, professional negligence, and crimes against professional honor. In the first case, the Criminal Court sentenced a government employee to five years in prison, ordered permanent removal from his job, and fined him KD35,000 for embezzling more than KD11,000 as undeserved salaries while he was in pretrial detention in a drug case.

The penalty also extended to his direct supervisor, as the court ruled to dismiss him from his position and fined him KD3,000 for neglecting his duties and failing to inform the competent authorities about the employee’s absence from work. In a similarly stringent ruling, the Court of Cassation — headed by Counselor Sultan Bouresli — upheld a previous ruling fining a psychiatric assistant doctor KD500 after he admitted to stealing antidepressant medication worth KD3.5 from Amiri Hospital. Investigations revealed that the doctor wore a mask to conceal his features while committing the crime, which he repeated several times to obtain medications not normally dispensed to non-psychiatric patients. During the investigations, the doctor explained that he had suffered from anxiety and depression for years and paid the price for the stolen medications.

Moreover, the Lawyers Disciplinary Chamber at the Court of First Instance issued disciplinary rulings against several lawyers for professional negligence. One lawyer was suspended for one year, another for three months, and a third for one month for missing crucial appeals in their clients’ cases. A fourth lawyer was suspended for eight months for failing to attend with his client during the investigation into a complaint related to a bounced check and a seizure. In a separate case, also headed by Bouresli, the Court of Cassation upheld a three-year prison sentence imposed on a citizen after it was proven that he attempted to leave illegally through the Salmi border using a Saudi identification card despite a travel ban imposed on him. These rulings confirm the Kuwaiti judiciary’s strict oversight of public funds, its commitment to professional duties and ethics, and keenness to implement the principle of accountability and to prevent impunity.

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