Man acquitted in kidnap, rape of Ethiopian woman
Demolition case hearing set
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: The Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Najeeb Al-Mullah, cancelled the verdict of the Court of First Instance which sentenced a citizen, who impersonated detective officers, to 15 years in jail with hard labor and immediate execution for kidnapping and raping a 20-year old Ethiopian woman in a camping area. This led to the acquittal of the citizen.
Case files indicate the victim was waiting for a taxi to get home after work. A car driven by the suspect came by and he called her, claiming he was a detective officer and asked for her civil ID. He presented his supposed identity documents to support his claim. Upon checking the woman’s ID, he told her that her identity was wrong and she should come with him to the police station to take fingerprints. Instead, he drove her to a desert area in Mina Abdullah where he beat and raped her.
The victim added that after sexually abusing her, the suspect demanded for KD 300 to release her. She called one of her friends to ask for money. The suspect tried to tie her up and beat her on the face. She managed to escape from him after throwing soil on his face, leaving behind her belongings. He followed her with his car but she took refuge in a nearby camp.
Lawyer for the accused, Attorney Abdulaziz Al-Rukhaimi, pointed out in court the lack of solid evidence, contradictory statements and absence of witnesses who can identify the suspect, except the arresting officer whose investigations led to the suspect.
Case hearing set:
The Court of First Instance set a hearing for Wednesday on the lawsuit filed by Attorney Adel AbdulHadi against His Highness the Prime Minister, Minister of Public Works and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, requesting for nullification of decision to demolish Shamlan Al-Roumi Mosque. He urged the court to suspend the decision temporarily as a matter of urgency.
Case files indicate Abdul-Hadi was surprised by decision of the Ministry of Public Works to demolish the mosque which is located in Sharq. He said the excuse used was that the decision was necessary due to the expansion of First Ring Road in line with the Council of Ministers Decision Number 82 taken during meeting number 4/2010 on Jan 17, 2010. He noted the mosque is a major landmark in Kuwait City and a unique Islamic heritage built in 1893. He pointed out the mosque is located in a conspicuous area that attracts tourists, visitors and businesspersons. This is in addition to its proximity to the commercial area in the Capital. He concluded that the mosque is among the heritage mosques and structures in the Amiri Decree of 1960.
Decision today:
The Court of Cassation Monday will decide on the appeal filed by Public Prosecution against the lower court verdict that declared Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad innocent of alleged attack on the judiciary.
Earlier, the Court of Appeals chaired by Judge Najeb Al-Mulla nullified verdict of the Court of First Instance, which had sentenced Sheikh Ahmad to one year in prison with hard labor and KD 1000 for suspension of execution.
Sheikh Ahmad was charged for allegedly disrespecting the sanctity of the Prosecutor General publicly by doubting his integrity and adherence to provisions law. He was also accused of attacking officials of the Public Prosecution, and the appellate court declared him innocent of all allegations alongside other defendants (Al-Watan channel crew).