Kuwait woman jailed for 11 years over tweets
Kuwait opposition groups say a woman has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sending tweets that allegedly insulted the nation's ruler.
The woman, named as 37-year-old Huda al-Ajmi, allegedly sent tweets that insulted Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabahv, and suggested he be overthrown.
The Emir is described in Kuwait's constitution 'immune and inviolable'.
Huda al-Ajmi was sentenced for the tweets, and given two five-year terms for inciting rebellion against the state and violating laws on public discussion.
Kuwait is generally considered more liberal than many other Gulf states, but has begun a crackdown on perceived dissent on social media.
Monday's court decision is among the harshest punishments given in the Gulf region as authorities increasingly crack down on perceived dissent on social media. Dozens of people across the Western-backed Gulf states have been sentenced to jail time for Twitter and blog posts in the past year.
Opposition groups in Kuwait say Huda al-Ajmi faced three separate charges that included insulting the emir, which brought a one-year sentence. Five-year prison terms were given for allegedly calling for coup-style rebellion and violating laws on public discussions.
Kuwaiti media, including the pro-government Al Watan newspaper, also reported the sentencing.