(The Kuwaiti Criminal Court) The Case of Awad Al-Mutairi
Case Law- Country
- Country Location
Latitude: 29.345072482286373
Longitude: 47.46711730957032
- Country Location (linked Case Law)
- Kuwait
- Decision Date
- Jan 18, 2016
- Case Status
- Closed
- Case Outcome (Procedural)
- Motion Denied
- Case Outcome (Disposition)
- Sanctions (Imprisonment and/or Fine)
- Keywords
- Cybercrime
- Freedom of Expression
- Insult to Foreign State
- Insult to Head of State
- Online Forum
- Sedition
- Social Media
- Terrorism
- Judicial Body
- First Instance Court
- Court Name
- The Kuwaiti Criminal Court
- Case Summary
Al-Mutairi was imprisoned for “insulting the Emir” and Saudi Arabia on Twitter. The verdict came under crackdown on freedom of expression by the repressive Kuwaiti authorities under several claims including fighting terrorism, protecting ties with a friendly country, or insulting the Emir.
- Related Caselaw (self)
- Related Law
- Notes
Awad Al-Mutairi, was sentenced to 5 years with labour for insulting the Emir and Saudi Arabia via tweets. Issue: Whether the conviction violates international standards on freedom of expression. Conclusion,The verdict breaches international human rights norms. Kuwaiti authorities should cease prosecuting individuals for expressing opinions. The decision does not establish a binding or persuasive precedent within its jurisdiction.
- Collection
- SMEX
- Date Updated
- Aug 1, 2024