KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s criminal court on Monday ordered the release of prominent writer Mohammad Abdulqader Al-Jassem on a 2,000-dinar ($6,850) bail after 49 days of detention, his daughter said.
"The judge has just ordered his release on bail. I and the rest of the family are extremely happy and we will complete the necessary procedures to bring him home," Summaya Al-Jassem told AFP.
The release came after passionate appeals by Jassem himself and a number of defense lawyers during Monday’s fourth hearing of the Kuwaiti writer who was sued by the minister of the royal court.
Defense lawyer Abdullah Al-Ahmad told AFP the next hearing has been set for September 20.
Jassem, who is also a well-know lawyer and journalist, told judge Adel Al-Huwaidi that the case against him is "politically-motivated" and that he is being punished for expressing his views.
The reasons for the release were not immediately made available but a medical commission appointed by the court has concluded that the health of Jassem, who is a heart patient, was deteriorating.
According to his family, Jassem underwent open heart surgery and about 10 lesser heart operations. They have argued that his life is at risk in jail, where he has been detained since May 11.
Jassem, 54, has been charged with undermining the emir’s status, attacking the regime and spreading false information damaging to Kuwait’s national interests. The charges carry a penalty of several years in jail.
The lawsuit against Jassem was filed by the minister of the royal court, Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad, the elder son of Kuwait’s ruler.
Several leading international human rights organizations have criticized the detention of Jassem, describing him as a prisoner of conscience, and sent letters to the emir urging his release.
Jassem was detained for 12 days in November over another lawsuit filed by the Kuwaiti prime minister alleging slander.
On April 1, the lower court sentenced him to six months in jail and a fine of $17,500 but suspended the jail term until the ruling of the appeals court.
