Kuwaiti blogger and activist Hijab Al-Hajri has been sentenced to two years in prison for defaming the Kuwaiti Emir and attempting to overthrow the regime.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned the verdict issued by the Kuwaiti Court of Cassation, on Sunday 15 June 2014, sentencing blogger and activist Hijab Al-Hajri to two years with labor. The blogger was charged with defaming the Kuwaiti Emir and attempting to overthrow the regime.
On 9 October 2013, the Court of Appeal upheld a two-year prison sentence against the activist. Nine months later, on 11 May 2014, the activist’s defense team appealed the ruling before the Cassation Court. On 25 May, the case was set for adjudication on 15 June, when the defendant was sentenced to two years in prison with labor.
“The ruling against Hijab Al-Hajri is a form of repression practiced by the Kuwaiti state against those who express their opinions, doing so peacefully through social networking sites,” ANHRI said.
ANHRI added, “Kuwaiti laws contain numerous articles that curb freedom of opinion and expression. The Arabic Network has frequently urged Kuwaiti authorities to review and amend these articles.”
ANHRI calls upon Kuwaiti authorities to urgently release the activist and blogger, along with those who have received unjust verdicts in freedom of opinion and expression legal cases.
