Al Barrak backers protest at trial venue

Dozens of Kuwaiti activists staged an unprecedented protest yesterday outside the courtroom where opposition leader and former MP Mussallam Al Barrak was being tried on charges of insulting the emir.

“Jail us in place of Mussallam Al Barrak,” chanted the activists who were prevented entry into the small courtroom in the Palace of Justice in the heart of Kuwait City.

“Mussallam ... you are the conscience of the whole nation,” the firebrand lawmaker’s supporters shouted.

It was the first time ever that a protest has taken place inside the Palace of Justice in Kuwait. Police did not interfere in the demonstration, which passed off peacefully.

Al Barrak is being tried on charges of insulting Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah when he made remarks at a public rally on October 15.

Activists carried Al Barrak as he came from the room and continued shouting slogans.

“On your behalf and on behalf of the nation, I declare that this [ protest] movement will continue. Jails, batons and tear gas cannons will not stop us,” Barrak told the crowd just outside the Palace of Justice.