Reports received by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) confirmed that an arbitrary prison sentence was issued against former National Assembly candidate Mesaed Al-Quraifa in Kuwait.

On 22 May 2024, the Criminal Court held a hearing during which it arbitrarily sentenced Al-Quraifa to four years’ imprisonment with hard labour after convicting him of “insulting the authority of the emirate” during a symposium at his electoral headquarters when he ran for the 2024 National Assembly elections.

On 23 April 2024, Al-Quraifa was arrested after the Public Prosecution ordered his pretrial detention.

His arrest and imprisonment are related to comments he made during the election symposium he held on 30 March 2024 with local residents under the title, “What Must Be Said”. Among his comments was, “Kuwait is not a testing ground for members of the ruling family.” He also defended the rights of all citizens to participate in creating a new, prosperous future.

For more information, see here.

GCHR strongly denounces the arbitrary arrest of former National Assembly candidate Mesaed Al-Quraifa and the unjust four-year prison sentence, and calls on the authorities in Kuwait to overturn the sentence issued against him and release him immediately. Al-Quraifa’s demand for comprehensive reform, an end to corruption, and his defense of citizens’ civil and human rights does not justify targeting him with arbitrary arrest and imprisonment for four years on fabricated charges. Rather, the government must respect and protect other opinions.

GCHR calls on the government of Kuwait to work hard to ensure respect for the civil and human rights of citizens, especially freedom of expression.