Kuwait court sentences senior royal for insulting judiciary

A lower court Thursday sentenced a leading member of Kuwait's ruling family and international sports figure Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah to six months in jail for insulting the judiciary, local media reported.

Al-Qabas newspaper said on its website that Sheikh Ahmad was ordered to pay 1,000 dinars ($3,300) to suspend implementation of the jail term pending a review by the appeals court.

The ruling is not final as it can be challenged before the appeals and supreme courts.

Sheikh Ahmad is president of the Kuwait-based Olympic Council of Asia and holds a number of other international sports posts.

The daily said Sheikh Ahmad was convicted of casting doubt on the integrity of the judiciary, insulting the public prosecution and instigating against public order in an interview with a local television station.

He was also accused of violating a media ban on making comments on allegations that a former prime minister and ex-parliament speaker had plotted a coup against the government.

That case was shelved by a court for lack of evidence.

Sheikh Ahmad held a number of ministerial posts including as oil minister before he resigned from the cabinet in 2011 following a political dispute.