Kuwait’s Court of Appeals has sentenced former Member of Parliament Mohammad Al-Mutair to eight years in prison on charges related to state security offenses. The ruling, issued on September 9 by the State Security Circuit under Judge Abdullah Al-Sanea, upheld two prior convictions against Al-Mutair, combining a three-year sentence from one case with a five-year sentence from another.

The cases stem from allegations that Al-Mutair disseminated false information, insulted key judicial and government officials, and challenged the authority of Kuwait’s Amir. In the first case, the court confirmed a three-year sentence previously handed down for publishing false news via his account on the social media platform X, insulting the Attorney General, releasing confidential documents tied to an investigation, and casting doubt on the integrity of judges and Public Prosecution members.

The second conviction, upheld with a five-year sentence, related to events occurring between September 2 and 17, 2025. Charges included publicly questioning the Amir’s rights and powers, insulting the Amir and other senior officials, attributing statements to the Amir without authorization, and attempting to improperly influence judiciary members, particularly judges in the Constitutional Court. These actions were reportedly made during a seminar Al-Mutair held at his diwaniya in April 2023.

The court also noted Al-Mutair’s repeated failure to attend appeal hearings despite multiple postponements designed to facilitate his presence. On July 28 and again on September 8, 2026, the former MP did not appear, although his attorney was present and requested adjournments. Citing Article 204/2 of the Criminal Procedures and Trials Law, the court interpreted these absences as a withdrawal of his appeal and subsequently invalidated it.

The prosecution had sought a harsher penalty, but the court determined that the original sentences fell within legal limits and that the lower courts had not erred in their judgments. It ruled there was no new evidence to justify increasing the punishment and dismissed the prosecution’s request accordingly.

Al-Mutair faces charges of deliberately spreading false rumors about Kuwait’s internal affairs, defamation of judicial authorities, and misuse of communications, including unauthorized publication of confidential investigative documents. The court’s decision underscores the legal consequences for public figures involved in disseminating information deemed harmful to state security and undermining official institutions.