Calls for reconciliation as tougher penalties urged

KUWAIT: Lawmakers and the government yesterday called for national reconciliation in the face of delicate regional developments as the public prosecution urged tougher penalties for those who stormed the national assembly.

Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said that international and regional developments and domestic challenges requires all to overcome differences through dialogue and to preserve national unity. The minister said that all are looking with hope to open a new page of cooperation to achieve stability and a dignified life.

Saleh recalled the speech of the Amir at the opening of the National Assembly which he said it lays down a roadmap for the government, adding that the two authorities should strengthen relations on the basis of political partnership and constrictive cooperation.

MP Faisal Al-Kandari said the current phase requires a comprehensive national dialogue among all political groups to purify the atmosphere and serve the interests of citizens and the country. He said the dialogue is urgently needed in the face of turbulent regional developments.

Kandari said that all have strong faith and trust that the Kuwaiti judiciary will take into consideration the social and employment conditions of those jailed for storming the national assembly amid calls for releasing them until the court of cassation issues its verdict.

The court of appeals last month sentenced 67 opposition activists including three lawmakers to various jail terms for storming the national assembly building in November 2011 following a demonstration. The public prosecution yesterday urged the court of cassation, whose verdicts are final, to issue tougher penalties against the defendants describing their ‘crime’ as big.

The prosecution said that the appeals court did not apply the law correctly while issuing its verdict and called on the court of cassation to apply the law by increasing the penalties. The prosecution said that some of the defendants resisted the police and this crime entails jail terms of up to 15 years. The court of cassation is expected to look into the case soon amid calls by defense lawyers to free those jailed until the case is completed.