Cairo, May 20^th , 2010

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said today, that the Kuwaiti authorities has to immediately release the journalist and writer Mohammad Abdul Qader Jassim, held for more than a week on an  opinion  case . He is accused of insulting the Prince  and publishing false news that would undermine state prestige against the background of some of his  published articles and books. Public Prosecutor referred to SSI interpretations of those publications , before issuing a detention order of  21 days pending investigation.

The journalist and writer Mohammad Abdul-Qader Jassim received a telephone call from the Attorney General informing him that there is an arrest warrant for him and that he would better go for investigation instead of being arrested at home. Jassim headed to the Attorney General where he was arrested since then. He started a hunger strike since his detention on 11/5/2010 and was hospitalized before  being transferred to the central prison where he is detained.

Jassim, expecting his detention, has written an article on his personal website entitled Nassiha (tip of advice) http://aljasem.org/default.asp?opt=2&art_id=341, where he narrated that he received telephone calls advising  him to leave the country before being arrested. Jassim refused to  be pressured to leave his homeland,  whatever the consequences . In his article , Jassim advised Kuwaiti security not to encroach on prosecution and judiciary authorities  as they only have the right to sentencing.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information expressed  outrage over persecution and abuse of the  journalist Mohamed Abdel Qader Jassim and his arbitrary detention for questioning him on his critical views aiming to leverage democracy and freedom.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said ,  “Pre- trial detention of  Jassim and the Attorney General rejection of his release request , show the official determination to punish an author exposing corruption. The detention decision is an invitation to the Kuwaiti government to lift its name from the list of states that respect freedom of expression, even in a relative sense  .

Other information:
http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=12

Jassim’s site
http://www.aljasem.org/