Detained Kuwaiti blogger ends hunger strike

KUWAIT: Health concerns have forced a Kuwaiti blogger to end a hunger strike he began in protest against his detention over accusations he insulted the ruler, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Blogger and journalist Mohammad Abdul-Kader al-Jassem was hospitalised after he started refusing food and medicine last Wednesday. He was detained on May 11 following a complaint against him from Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah's office.

"He stopped the hunger strike on the advice of doctors who warned him he could have kidney failure," attorney Jasser al-Jidei told Reuters.

Jassem, a staunch critic of the government, was accused by the authorities of insulting the emir, inciting the overthrow of government, and spreading false news that could affect Kuwait's national interests, according to Jidei.

If the case goes to court and he is convicted, he could be sentenced to 18 years in prison, the lawyer said.

Kuwait, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, has a free press but many writers have been questioned and tried for libel. The emir is protected from criticism by the constitution.

Jidei said he was allowed to meet with Jassem on Monday and his client's morale was "very high."

"He says the accusations are false and he just expressed views about the political situation in Kuwait," the lawyer said.

On his website, Jassem has criticised the ruling family and blamed Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah for mismanagement and corruption. Another lawyer, Abdullah al-Ahmad, said the blogger was questioned about three political books he published after they were licensed by authorities.

It was not clear if the writer, who is also a lawyer, was going to face trial.

"I'm very proud of what my father is doing. He is taking a stand against repressing freedoms," Jassem's daughter Sumayah said.

Freedom of speech campaign group Reporters Without Borders has called for Jassem's immediate release and all charges against him to be dropped.

It said the writer was sentenced in April to six months in prison for slandering the prime minister, but the court suspended the sentence pending an appeal.