Kuwaiti journalist jailed for Twitter 'insults'

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 8 January 2013

Ayyad al-Harbi, a journalist in Kuwait, has been sentenced to two years in prison for insulting the emir on Twitter. This ruling is part of a broader crackdown on political dissent in the Gulf region.

Summary

KUWAIT CITY: A Kuwait newspaper says an online journalist has been sentenced to two years in prison for posts deemed "insulting" to the Gulf nation's ruler — the second such ruling this week. The decision reflects a widening social media crackdown across the Gulf Arab states to quell perceived political dissent. Kuwait's pro-government Al Watan newspaper reported that Ayyad al-Harbi, a journalist at news website Sabr, was charged with posting Twitter messages considered offensive to the nation's Western-allied emir. No other details were given. On Sunday, Kuwaiti media said a social media activist also has received a two-year prison term for Twitter posts that allegedly insulted the emir.- AP

Key Points

Ayyad al-Harbi sentenced to two years in prison.
Charged for Twitter posts insulting Kuwait's emir.
Increased social media crackdown in Gulf Arab states.
Second similar ruling within a week.
Concerns over freedom of expression in Kuwait.

Relevant Topics

Kuwait

Journalism

Social Media

Insults

Political Dissent

Legal News

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