Men in uniform pay 45,000 dinars compensation in high-profile Salmi assault case

The curtain has finally come down on a long-running legal dispute stemming from a widely publicized assault at the Salmi border crossing in October 2020. The case, involving a Kuwaiti citizen and three military personnel, centered around a physical altercation in which the soldiers assaulted the man in front of his family.

The incident had sparked widespread criticism and called for accountability, particularly given the setting at a public border crossing and the presence of the victim’s family during the assault, according to Al-Anba daily.

After a prolonged legal battle, the three soldiers have agreed to pay the citizen a total of 45,000 dinars in compensation, bringing an end to the case. This settlement comes before the filing of a final compensation lawsuit, indicating a mutual resolution to avoid further litigation.

The citizen’s lawyer, Dr. Obaid Al-Enezi, had earlier secured a temporary civil compensation ruling from the Court of Appeal, awarding his client 5,001 dinars as an initial recognition of harm.

Prior to the civil case, Dr. Al-Enezi had also succeeded in obtaining a final criminal ruling from the Court of Appeal, in which the three soldiers were found guilty and fined for their involvement in the assault. These judicial victories laid the foundation for the larger compensation settlement.

The conclusion of this case is seen as a vindication for the victim and a demonstration of the judiciary’s role in upholding accountability, even when state personnel are involved. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of professional conduct among security forces, especially in sensitive areas like national border crossings.