Fajr Al-Saeed, a Kuwaiti TV host, was sentenced to three years in prison for spreading false news and misusing the internet after expressing support for normalizing relations with Israel. The Kuwaiti government rejected normalization without resolving the Palestinian issue, leading to her legal troubles and a significant public apology to Iraq. Following her sentencing, Saeed has decided to withdraw from political commentary.
Kuwaiti TV host Fajr Al-Saeed has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Kuwait Criminal Court after being found guilty of spreading false news and misusing the internet. This ruling follows her controversial statements advocating for normalization with Israel, which have generated significant debate in Kuwait and beyond. Although she was acquitted of the specific normalization promotion charge, other related online activities led to her conviction.
Saeed’s legal issues began on January 9 after she expressed her support for normalization with Israel, a stance articulated in a 2019 social media post and reiterated during a 2021 interview with the Israeli broadcaster Kan. Her remarks have made her a polarizing figure in Kuwait, often opposing the official stance against any diplomatic relations with Israel unless there is a just resolution to the Palestinian conflict.
Despite the legal backlash, including the withdrawal of a separate lawsuit by the Iraqi embassy—after Saeed issued a public apology—her sentence on February 9 underscores her controversial public persona. The Kuwaiti government firmly maintains its position against normalization, recently reiterating support for an independent Palestinian state.
Following her sentencing, Saeed announced her decision to withdraw from political commentary and public criticism. This step came after remarks on her program, where she criticized Iraq’s parliament regarding U.S. troop presence, which led to a legal pursuit in Iraq. However, her apology led to the Iraqi Prime Minister withdrawing the case, demonstrating the complex interactions between political stances and media expression in the region.
Fajr Al-Saeed, a Kuwaiti TV host, has been sentenced to three years in prison due to her controversial support for Israel’s normalization, sparking significant legal consequences. The case highlights Kuwait’s strict stance on the normalization issue with Israel, as well as the tensions between individual expression and governmental positions in the region. Her recent decision to step away from political commentary indicates the challenges faced by media figures in volatile political contexts.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
