Blogger ‘Aboudka’ freed on bail
Expat’s jail verdict nullified
By Jaber Al-Hamoud
KUWAIT CITY, June 25: The Public Prosecution has released blogger “Aboudka” on bail worth KD 1,000 following his detention on Thursday after Anti-Cybercrime Department lodged a complaint against him, accusing him of offending Kuwaiti people, violating public morals and misusing smartphones.
During interrogation, the blogger denied all the charges leveled against him — the charges of mobile phone misuse and violating public morals. He said his Snapchat post was meant for certain category only and not Kuwaiti people.
It is worth mentioning that Aboudka had published a video on the social media “Snapchat” which was deemed offensive to Kuwaitis. The video went viral on social media after which several users complained to Anti-Cybercrime Department, demanding application of the new cybercrime law against him.
Verdict nullified:
The Court of Appeals has nullified the verdict of First Instance Court that sentenced an expatriate to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor on allegations of peddling and consuming illicit drugs, and having sexual intercourse with a young lady.
The Public Prosecution Department charged the suspect for possessing an unspecified quantity of hashish meant for sale and consumption without legal authorization. He was also accused of administering the illicit substance Methamphetamine on a 21-year-old lady with whom he had sex thereafter without her consent.
Lawyer En’am Haider defended the accused in an appeal and argued the previous verdict was delivered in error contrary to Articles 3 and 84 of the penal code. She alleged the verdict was determined by mere inference without any strong documented evidence.
Ex-MP absolved:
The Court of Appeals upheld the ruling of the First Instance Court, which refrained from imposing punishment on former MP Abdulrahman Al-Anjari in a lawsuit filed by National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim who accused him of offending and tarnishing the latter’s reputation.
The higher court also obligated Al-Anjari to pay bail of KD 500 and sign a pledge of good conduct for one year.
Case files indicate that on Nov 23, 2016, Al-Anjari organized a gathering, during which he uttered words deemed offensive to Al-Ghanim. This action is considered a violation of Press and Publication Law number 3/2006.
He was also accused of committing one of the crimes stipulated in Parliament Election Law Number 35/1962. The Criminal Court had earlier sentenced Al-Anjari, in absentia, to two years in prison, fined him KD 3,000 and obligated him to pay KD 5,001 temporary compensation.