TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A female teacher is sentenced to 11 years in prison for insulting the Kuwaiti ruler and pressing for his overthrow. 37-year old Huda al-Ajmi receives the longest punishment for online dissent in the gulf state.
She is convicted with three separate charges including insulting the Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, which yields one year jail time. She described the Emir to be "immune and inviolable" in the constitution.
Two other indictments, five-year each, are for inciting rebellion against the regime and violating laws of public discourse. Although Kuwait is rather liberal compared to other gulf states, the government takes a hardline stance on difference of opinions, especially online.
Last month, former Member of the Parliament Mussallam al-Barrak was convicted with five years in prison for insulting the Emir. Yet appeals overturned the decision. Al-Barrak previously warned the Emir in his speech to avoid autocratic rule in Kuwait.
It is uncommon for women to be punished for political reasons in Kuwait. Recently, two female activists were also convicted with imprisonment but were acquitted.
REUTERS | TRIP B