An American-Kuwaiti journalist who was detained by authorities in Kuwait last month after he re-posted videos and images related to the US-Israeli war with Iran, has been acquitted, according to his international legal team.
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was understood to have been charged with spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone.
On Thursday, London-based barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC said Shihab-Eldin had been found innocent of all charges and was expected to be released imminently.
Kuwaiti authorities have not commented on the case; however, they have detained hundreds of individuals for sharing footage documenting Iranian attacks during the ongoing war.
Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to major media outlets such as the BBC, New York Times, and Al Jazeera, was last seen on March 2, when he shared a verified video of a US F-15 fighter jet crashing near Kuwait City, following an incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses.
His arrest came the day after he shared the content on his Substack account, leading to charges based on images verified and posted by international media.
Following the acquittal, Gallagher expressed relief, stating, 'After 52 days in detention, Ahmed has been found innocent on all charges. Our focus now is on ensuring the liberty and safety of our client.'
Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), also expressed relief over the acquittal, emphasizing that Shihab-Eldin's safety remains a priority. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding press freedom in the region, especially amid increasing tensions and government crackdowns on media sharing.
