Soldier's five-year prison term upheld for conviction of associating with ISIS group.
Hear ye, hear ye! A military officer and an assistant engineer found themselves in a precarious predicament, accused of joining the notorious ISIS and promoting their destructive ideologies. In a court case presided over by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and Counselors Saud Al-Sanea and Tariq Metwally, these two citizens faced charges that could change their lives forever.
According to the Arabic daily Al Jarida, the Criminal Court upheld the ruling, sentencing the first defendant to five years in prison, while the second was acquitted. But what led to this fateful decision?
The Public Prosecution presented a solid case against the accused. The military officer's alleged activities with ISIS were said to have posed a significant threat to national interests since the duo could be seen as part of a group aiming to subvert the country's systems, recognized as a terrorist organization by a UN Security Council resolution.
Evidence collected included both the first officer's confession during the Public Prosecution's investigation and testimonies from State Security officers, as well as mobile phone evidence documenting their communication with ISIS members and sympathizers.
The first defendant confessed willingly, acknowledging his support for ISIS since the group's emergence in 2015. He even admitted to pledging allegiance to their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and providing financial support—60 Kuwaiti dinars—to help fund the terrorists' operations through a contact in Kuwait.
In addition to disseminating ISIS propaganda, the officer also managed channels on Telegram, allowing others to join and consume content favorable to the organization. Evidently, his intentions were to spread their extremist ideas and continue his harmful activities.
It was also revealed that he met the second accused on Telegram and had discussed the possibility of traveling to Syria to join the terrorists’ ranks. However, family issues and the overall situation at the time prevented him from following through, with his connection with the second accused ending in 2018.
In recent years, the officer continued to express his support for ISIS, communicating with individuals intending to join their ranks in Syria, although his travel plans were thwarted by the current situation.
As for the assistant engineer, it appears that the court acquitted him of the charges. But that doesn't mean he's off the hook entirely; as the criminal justice system proceeds, it remains to be seen whether there's further evidence that could incriminate him.
In today's world, support for extremist groups like ISIS can come from anywhere, and it's more important than ever to maintain vigilance against their destructive ideologies. Whether it's here in our own country or elsewhere, the fight against terrorism demands our unwavering focus and commitment.
- General-news outlets reported that Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid, presiding over the case, requested the sentencing of the military officer, who was found guilty of supporting ISIS.
- The sentencing hearing for the military officer, accused of communicating with ISIS members and providing financial support, took place in the court presided over by Counselor Al-Haid and others.
- Despite the assistant engineer's acquittal, the military officer's role in sending 60 Kuwaiti dinars to ISIS and his ongoing communication with like-minded individuals about promoting their ideologies are still matters of crime and justice concern.
