From WhatsApp to Court: Expat Accused of Insulting Kuwaiti Woman
KUWAIT CITY, March 18: A female Kuwaiti citizen filed a complaint at the Hawally police station, alleging that she had been insulted by an expatriate. During the investigation, the accused admitted to sending the voice messages in question but claimed she did not believe her words constituted insult or slander.
According to a security source, a lawyer representing the female citizen and her four siblings lodged a formal complaint at one of the Hawalli police stations, accusing an expatriate of insulting his client and her siblings. The source stated that the accused was contacted and voluntarily attended the investigation. When presented with the charges and the audio recording as evidence, she acknowledged the authenticity of the recording and confirmed that she had sent the voice messages via WhatsApp. She attributed the incident to financial disputes between the parties involved.
It is important to note that Kuwait's Penal Code criminalizes digital insult and slander, imposing penalties for such offenses committed on social media platforms. Article 1 of the Cybercrime Law stipulates that ' anyone who intentionally misuses social media sites via a phone or computer by using obscene or indecent language shall be punished by imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of 2,000 dinars, or by either of these two penalties. Additionally, more severe penalties may apply, and the devices used in committing the crime may be confiscated.'
Furthermore, Article 70 of Kuwait's Telecommunications Regulatory Law states that ' anyone who sends insulting messages violating public morals through social media sites shall be punished by imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of 5,000 dinars, or by either of these two penalties.'
Article 83 of the same law adds that ' in addition to penalties imposed on individual offenders, a legal entity (such as a company) shall face criminal liability with double the prescribed fine if the crime of defamation or slander is committed on social media in its name, on its behalf, or using its devices or network, whether through action, negligence, or consent. Penalties will be doubled in cases of repeat offenses.'
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