JOURNALISTS ARRESTED FOR BLOG REMARKS CRITICIZING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 001285

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KPAO KU
SUBJECT: JOURNALISTS ARRESTED FOR BLOG REMARKS CRITICIZING
AMIR


1. (U) SUMMARY: On August 18, members of the Kuwait State
Security (KSS) Department arrested two journalists outside
the offices of Al-Jarida newspaper. The KSS arrested the
first journalist, Bashar Al-Sayegh, for publishing remarks on
his website critical of the Amir. They arrested the second
journalist, Jassem Al-Qames, for taking pictures of the
incident. The KSS released Al-Qames on August 20 and
Al-Sayegh on August 21. Post has learned that the KSS also
arrested Nawaf Al-Ajmi, a corporal in the Kuwait Army, who
posted the disparaging remarks. Members of the Kuwait
National Democratic Coalition (NDC) staged a protest on
August 20, and the Kuwait Society for Human Rights (KSHR)
issued a statement condemning the arrests. The Kuwaiti
constitution and Kuwaiti press law forbids criticism of the
Amir. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) On August 18, the KSS arrested journalist and blogger
Bashar Al-Sayegh as he was exiting the offices of Al-Jarida
newspaper, where he works as an editor. According to press
reports, an anonymous author posted comments critical of the
Amir on Al-Sayegh's personal website (www.alommah.org),
although Al-Sayegh is reported to have removed them within
three hours. The media reported that Al-Sayegh received
advanced warning of his impending arrest, and that his friend
Jassem Al-Qames, a photographer for Al-Jarida newspaper,
accompanied him as he exited the Al-Jarida offices. Al-Qames
said that the KSS officers did not identify themselves, and
that they threw Al-Sayegh into their car as he exited the
building. Al-Qames said that when he protested and began
taking photographs of the incident, the KSS agents arrested
him as well. The KSS released Al-Qames on August 20, who
subsequently claimed that the KSS interrogated and physically
abused him during his detention. Bashar Al-Sayegh was
released on bail on August 21. Media reports state that
Al-Sayegh provided KSS with the IP address of the author of
the anti-Amir comments, but that KSS is still investigating
his involvement in the incident.


3. (U) During an August 21 courtesy call by the Charge and
PAO on Jassim Boodai, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Rai newspaper,
Post learned that the KSS also arrested Nawaf Al-Ajmi, a
corporal in the Kuwait Army, for allegedly posting the
disparaging remarks. Mr. Boodai said that Al-Ajmi's posting
referred to the Amir as a "slave to the merchant class" who
is nothing but a "wax figure who belongs in a museum."
Boodai also claimed that allegations of KSS abuse were false
and that the Ministry of Interior had "acted professionally."
Boodai said that Al-Sayegh was "way behind the red line"
since he did not review the comments beforehand and allowed
criticism of the Amir to be posted on his website. The
arrests have dominated press headlines over the past two
days. Al-Sayegh's release made headlines in many newspapers,
which featured photos of him being carried on the shoulders
of his supporters upon his release from the KSS facility. On
August 22, Al-Sayegh released a statement denying abuse or
torture during his detention.


4. (U) The NDC led a protest of human rights activists,
members of Parliament and other concerned individuals outside
the KSS offices on August 20. In addition, MP Ahmad
Al-Mulaifi registered his disappointment with the incident,
and noted that Kuwait was previously the envy of the GCC for
its press freedom. MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun called for the
elimination of the KSS. The KSHR issued a statement
condemning the manner of the arrests and criticizing the
actions of the KSS officers. The Kuwait Journalists'
Association (KJA) also released a statement condemning the
arrests and calling the incident a black mark on Kuwait's
tradition of press freedom.


5. (U) According to Article 54 of the Kuwaiti constitution,
the Amir is "immune and inviolable," meaning that he is
beyond any personal criticism or accountability. In
addition, Kuwait's new press law (approved in 2006) bans the
jailing of journalists for all but criticisms of the Amir,
religious offenses and sedition. It stipulates jail terms of
up to one year and fines from US $17,000 - $70,000 for these
offenses. However, it also prohibits the arrest and
detention of journalists until a final court verdict is
rendered by the Kuwait Supreme Court.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: These arrests demonstrate that government
censors and the Amiri Palace regularly monitor Kuwait's
electronic media. In the past, media contacts have claimed
that the Amir receives weekly reviews of what Kuwait bloggers
are posting on a variety of issues. The media fanfare
surrounding these arrests highlights a conflict in Kuwaiti
society in general, and journalists in particular. While the
media desires greater freedom, it still readily accepts laws

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that restrict freedom of speech, in particular when it
pertains to religion and criticism of the Amir. These
restrictions are so ingrained in the Kuwaiti media's
consciousness that even the KJA did not call for a repeal of
this aspect of the law, or call for greater accountability
from the Amir, in its condemnation of the arrests. END
COMMENT.

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
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Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
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MISENHEIMER