Tweeter denies insulting Prophet, Gulf monarchs – Judge denies Naqi bail – Case highlights sectarian tensions
KUWAIT: A 26-year-old Kuwaiti pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges he insulted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his wife Aisha and some of his companions and the Sunni Muslim rulers of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on social media, the first day of a high-profile and divisive court case in the state. Charges were brought by a civil plaintiff who called for Hamad Al-Naqi – a Shiite – to be put to death, saying he must be made an example of to others. The case has stoked tensions between Kuwait’s Sunnis and minority Shiites. Naqi’s lawyer asked for his client, who has been in prison since his arrest in March, to be released on bail. The judge declined the request and adjourned the trial until next week.
KUWAIT: A 26-year-old Kuwaiti pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges he insulted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his wife Aisha and some of his companions and the Sunni Muslim rulers of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on social media, the first day of a high-profile and divisive court case in the state. Charges were brought by a civil plaintiff who called for Hamad Al-Naqi – a Shiite – to be put to death, saying he must be made an example of to others. The case has stoked tensions between Kuwait’s Sunnis and minority Shiites. Naqi’s lawyer asked for his client, who has been in prison since his arrest in March, to be released on bail. The judge declined the request and adjourned the trial until next week.
