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Kuwait Detains Journalist Amid Crackdown on Free Speech

4/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a journalist, has been detained in Kuwait for over a month after his March 3 arrest over social media posts about a friendly-fire incident involving United States fighter jets.
Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, say the detention reflects a Gulf crackdown on freedom of expression.
Kuwait has enacted new laws imposing severe penalties for information deemed harmful to national security, fueling fears of silencing dissent.

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Story summary

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a journalist, has been detained in Kuwait for over a month after his March 3 arrest over social media posts about a friendly-fire incident involving United States fighter jets.
Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, say the detention reflects a Gulf crackdown on freedom of expression.
Kuwait has enacted new laws imposing severe penalties for information deemed harmful to national security, fueling fears of silencing dissent.