Don’t Smear Amir
Ruling in anti-Amir smear May 27
KUWAIT CITY : The Criminal Court on Wednesday set May 27, 2009 to rule on State Security case number 114/2006 filed against a 20-year-old Kuwaiti man, identified as Mansour R., for insulting HH the Amir while talking on the phone.
During the session, the suspect’s lawyer, Attorney Ali Al-Rashidi, requested the court to acquit his client as he had no intention to insult the Amir. He argued there is no evidence to incriminate his client and requested the court to listen to the testimony of the defendant’s witnesses if the need arises.
Mansour, a student at the Public Authority for the Applied Education and Training (PAAET), has been charged with insulting the Amir.
During a previous session, Mansour denied the charge, saying he was talking to his friend, Mohamed, about somebody named ‘Sabah’, not the Amir.
By Moamen Al-Masri
Special to the <a href=”http://www.arabtimesonline.com/kuwaitnews/pagesdetails.asp?nid=31834&ccid=22″>Arab Times
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Amazina
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Here There and Everywhere 
Freedom is of course something we respect and expect.
However in our culture RESPECT has its place and regard in our daily life. Criticizing is one thing – insulting is another! I wish more people would understand how to differentiate.
Personally, I hope the MOI crack down on this behavior even more – starting with our so-called politicians all the way to talking parrots!
Was the phone bugged?
It’s unclear how he was “caught” insulting the Amir. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more to the story.
I totally agree with Bu Yousef.
What if he was really talking about a friend called “Sabah” ? and how did they catch him talking on the phone ? are our phones tapped ? :O
Bu Yousef – I would hazard a guess that criticizing focuses on behavior, and insulting focuses on personal characteristics?
Hilaliya – it doesn’t say if it was a bugged phone, a friend who squealed, someone who overheard . . . we don’t know, because the article doesn’t say. Sometimes the Arabic language press gives more information.
G – That is why the news here is so intriguing. It is incomplete; there is always more to the story.
Macaholic – Where are you keeping yourself these days? I am missing you!
Mathai – all very good questions. . .
The phones are probably tapped – hey, they are in the US, so why not? Systems can scan for keywords. It is nothing new – there was a big campaign to tap phones in Kuwait in the 80’s and technology has only advanced since then.
I also fully agree with the comment above about extending the law to members of parliament – not only where insults are concerned, but also in flat-out breaking the law and getting away with it.
You are right, Desert Girl, I think the Patriot Act gave our government rights to listen in on conversations that were once considered private. I always assume, when on a telephone, computer, typewriter, etc that anything I saw or write can be picked up.
Thank you. I miss blogging too. But I’m kinda busy lately. The only hint I can give you is that I got engaged. 🙂
Mac! WOW! That is a huge “hint!” Oh, I wish the two of you ALL happiness, all joy and many many blessings. Oh! Dancing is allowed on this blog! I am dancing with joy for you! Mabruk! Mabruk!
What happened to the so called freedom of speech that the government is advocating?
Um, well, eleventhst (welcome!) in every country, there are limits on free speech.