Ex-MP Al-Mutair sentenced to five years in prison for insulting Amir, judiciary
The State Security and Terrorism Crimes Criminal Court has sentenced former Member of Parliament Mohammed Al-Mutair to five years in prison with hard labor after finding him guilty of insulting the Amir and the judicial authority.
However, the court, headed by Counselor Nasser Al-Badr and comprising Counselors Omar Al-Mulaifi, Abdullah Al-Faleh and Salem Al-Zayed, acquitted the former lawmaker of a separate charge of inciting tribal strife.
In its ruling, the court ordered the destruction of the video clip that formed the basis of the case.
The court said it was fully satisfied with the evidence presented, describing it as sufficient to establish the validity of the charges against the accused.
It emphasized that respect for the political leadership of the country, headed by His Highness the Amir, is a constitutional and national obligation that underpins national unity and stability.
It further stated that respect for state institutions, particularly the judiciary, is essential to preserving the rule of law and ensuring that courts are able to perform their duties in a stable environment free from undue influence or criticism that exceeds permissible limits.
The judgment added that the accused, as a former parliamentarian, should have served as a model in respecting judicial rulings rather than undermining them, noting that his repeated statements, both explicit and implicit, amounted to a breach of acceptable conduct and constituted an offence against judicial authority.
The court concluded that the defendant’s actions went beyond the limits of legitimate criticism and could not be justified as part of free expression or public interest advocacy.
The verdict is subject to appeal through the relevant legal channels.
