Citizen detained for challenging national cohesion on social networking platforms
Fresh Take:
Kuwait's Ministry of Interior nabbed an unknown citizen following a viral social media video that showcased disrespect towards certain society segments and aimed to spark discord among the populace. The video's content was perceived as an attempt to weaken national unity.
As per the Ministry, the suspect openly mocked a specific section of society, inciting hatred and division, according to Al-Rai daily. Authorities confirmed that they have taken appropriate legal steps against the offender, and he will soon face the court.
The Ministry underscores its unwavering stance against behaviors undermining social harmony, emphasizing zero tolerance for hate speech and attempts to instigate conflict and discord. It vows to act decisively to preserve societal unity.
Recent years have seen Kuwaiti authorities taking a firm stance against such instances. For instance, in June 2025, authorities nabbed another citizen for posting a divisive video on social media. The suspect faced swift action, with referral to the competent authorities, signifying a zero-tolerance policy toward hate speech and actions threatening social cohesion.
The Ministry pledges to combat any expressions or acts harmful to Kuwait’s social fabric, enforcing legal measures against offenders who spread hate speech or seek to disrupt national harmony through social media platforms. Violators may face criminal prosecution under cybercrime and public order laws, potentially landing in jail, or facing fines, depending on the offense's severity and impact on national unity. Additionally, the authorities crack down on misinformation and attempts to disrupt public order online, ensuring societal discipline in digital spaces.
In a nutshell, Kuwait enforces stringent laws against disrupting national unity and inciting division on social media, tackling hate speech, offensive content, and misinformation that threaten social harmony. The government maintains a no-tolerance approach toward such actions, although the specific penalties aren't extensively detailed in publicly available reports.
The suspect's actions, reminiscent of the incident in June 2025, were in alignment with Politics that engage in activities stirring up division, as the content of the viral video can be categorized under both General-News and Crime-and-Justice, given its potential legal implications. The Ministry's response to these incidents emphasizes the need for Justice, ensuring offenders face prosecution for their Hate speech and any actions that threaten Social harmony, whether on traditional Media or digital Social media platforms.
