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Journalist ‘cleared of all charges’ after imprisonment for posting Iran war videos | World News


A journalist who was detained in Kuwait after posting Iran war videos has been released from custody, Sky News understands.

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin had not been seen or heard from since 2 March, when he was visiting family in the country.

It later emerged that the American-Kuwaiti journalist had been arrested and charged with spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.

But in a statement on Thursday, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, a lawyer representing his family, said a court had dismissed the charges and released him.

She said: “We are relieved that, after 52 days in detention, Ahmed has been found innocent on all charges.

“Our focus now is upon ensuring the liberty and safety of our client, and we will provide more details once they can be confirmed.”

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Mr Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to The New York Times, HuffPost and Al Jazeera English, among others, was arrested after sharing a social media video of a US fighter jet crash in Al Jahra, near Kuwait City, on his Substack on 2 March.

The US Central Command confirmed that Kuwaiti forces mistakenly shot down three US fighter jets. It said all six crew members were “ejected safely”.

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Kuwait is among several Gulf states that have detained people for posting footage of Iranian missile and drone strikes.

As many as 70 Britons have been detained in the UAE alone, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai.

Kuwait’s interior ministry has warned members of the public to “refrain from spreading rumours or sharing unverified videos and images” and said any violations would be “dealt with firmly, with violators referred to the relevant authorities for legal action”, state media reported.

News of Mr Shihab-Eldin’s release has been welcomed by human rights activists.

Former Middle East peace envoy advisor Ashish Prashar said: “To hear Ahmed has been found innocent is a huge relief. I hope every journalist in danger gets the love, support and collective organising he received.

“If we stood up for all journalists the way we did for him, they would not be so easily targeted.”


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