He stopped the hunger strike on the advice of doctors who warned him he could have kidney failure," attorney Jasser Al-Jidei said. Jassem, a staunch critic of the government, was accused by the authorities of insulting the Amir, inciting the overthrow of government, and spreading false news that could affect Kuwait’s national interests, according to Jidei.
If the case goes to court and he is convicted, he could be sentenced to 18 years in prison, the lawyer said. Kuwait, the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter, has a free press but many writers have been questioned and tried for libel. The Amir is protected from criticism by the constitution. Jidei said he was allowed to meet with Jassem on Monday and his client’s morale was "very high.
He says the accusations are false and he just expressed views about the political situation in Kuwait," the lawyer said. On his website, Jassem has criticized the ruling family and blamed Prime Minister Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah for mismanagement and corruption. Another lawyer, Abdullah Al-Ahmad, said the blogger was questioned about three political books he published after they were licensed by authorities. It was not clear if the writer, who is also a lawyer, was going to face trial.
I’m very proud of what my father is doing. He is taking a stand against repressing freedoms," Jassem’s daughter Sumayah said. Freedom of speech campaign group Reporters Without Borders has called for Jassem’s immediate release and all charges against him to be dropped. It said the writer was sentenced in April to six months in prison for slandering the prime minister, but the court suspended the sentence pending an appeal.
Khalifa urges envoys to leverage UAE’s stature
Khaleej Times: Four new UAE ambassadors to Ethiopia, Australia, Montenegro and Uzbekistan were sworn in before the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Al Bateen Palace.
Shaikh Khalifa directed the new ambassadors to work sincerely to enhance the UAE’s position at the international level.
“While opening up to the world, the government and people of the UAE are building bridges of friendship and cooperation with different peoples of the world, thus enhancing the country’s standing and respect at all domains,” the President said, affirming the UAE’s sincere desire to boost its relations with various countries of the world in political, economic, cultural and educational fields for building strong joint base of cooperation that serves mutual interest and promotes understanding and interaction.
The President added that the UAE foreign policy is based on firm principles through its commitment and respect to the UN Charter and international laws.
The UAE is establishing its relations with other countries on the principles of mutual respect, non-interference into others’ internal affairs, commitment to settling disputes through dialogue and peaceful means and support for issues of right and justice and active contribution to international stability and peace.
