KUWAIT CITY — A Kuwaiti court has sentenced two citizens to three years in prison with hard labor for mocking the country in a viral video, according to reports from local media on June 20, 2026. The verdict was issued by the Misdemeanor Court, which found the defendants guilty of insulting the state and its institutions.
The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, allegedly contained derogatory remarks about Kuwait and its leadership. The court's decision underscores Kuwait's strict laws against criticizing the state, which can lead to severe penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Legal experts note that Kuwait's penal code criminalizes acts deemed to undermine national unity or disrespect the emir. The defendants have the right to appeal the ruling, though no such appeal has been reported as of this writing.
This case highlights ongoing tensions between free expression and legal restrictions in the Gulf region, where authorities often clamp down on dissent, particularly online.
