Human rights activists investigated over peaceful online activities in Kuwait

Two Kuwaiti human rights defenders, Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli and Hamed Jameel, were investigated by the Electronic and Cyber Crime Combating Department (ECCCD) of Kuwait for their activities on Twitter. Al-Fadhli was interrogated for using his Twitter account to mobilise citizens to gather in front of the Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents’ Affairs. Jameel was questioned for purportedly setting a fake Twitter account to attack members of the Group of 80 that supports Saleh Al-Fadala, Head of Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents’ Affairs. After interrogation, they were both released for their cases to be pursued by lawyers. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) condemned the Kuwaiti authorities for cracking down on the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression of both activists.