Kuwait: Twitter Users Arrested then Released for “Insulting” Amir  · Global Voices
Mona Kareem

Four months ago, state security police in Kuwait arrested two Twitter and a YouTube user. On Thursday November 3, 2011, two Twitter users were called in and detained by the public prosecutor for violating the 54th article of the Kuwaiti constitution which states: “The Amir is the Head of the State. His person is immune and inviolable.”
Within 24 hours, Hamad AlOlayan (@hamadalolayan) and Tariq Al-mutairi (@al_tariq2009) were released. Yet, their cases will continue to be investigated.
Kuwaiti netizens were not happy with the arrests and sent support messages for the two. Many of them were not objecting to the interrogation but to the fact that Hamal AlOlayan was detained before being charged with any violation. Others were trying to show that the the two Twitter users in question did not disrespect the Amir and that what they wrote is open for interpretation.
Hamad AlOlayan, left with his two children and father. Photo by Nusaiba Al Anjeri.
Kuwaiti Blogger Khamis Almutairi (@KhamisAlmutairi) commented on how the process was illegal [ar]:
Then he added [ar]:
Political activist Jassim Al-Qames (@JassimQ) tweeted in criticism of this act as well [ar]:
@JassimQ: It is naive to think that you can arrest an idea, you are only making the person stronger. Unfortunately, instead of fixing our policies, we are hunting down those who criticize, whatever their opinions.
Blogger Shurouq Muzaffar (@ShurouqM) reacted to the arrests news saying [ar]:
Activist and blogger Dhari Al-Jutaili (@Dhari_) has also condemned the arrests [ar]:
Lawyer Bassam Alasousi (@Bassam_Alasousi) criticized the small protest that took place in front of the prime minister's house against the detention of the two Twitter users [ar]:
On the other hand, journalist Mohammad Al-Baghli (@albaghli74) criticized the participation of parliamentarians in sit-ins for the freedom of the Twitter users [ar]:
Meanwhile, Haya Alshatti (@hayaalshatti) was curious to know more about this case [ar]:
Saudi-Kuwaiti tweep (@AwthahAbs) pointed to the power of Twitter [ar]:
After the release of Hamad AlOlayan, activist Khaled Alfedala (@Alfadala) who was detained when the Prime Minister sued him last year, suggested a gesture for the released tweep [ar]: