US-Kuwaiti journalist released after war coverage detention

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Kuwait City: Independent journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin safely departed Kuwait yesterday following his release from a 52-day detention. A U.S. State Department officials confirmed on Friday that the 41-year-old American-Kuwaiti citizen had left the Gulf nation after being cleared of all legal charges.

Mr. Shihab-Eldin was acquitted by a Kuwaiti court on Thursday, ending a period of custody that began on March 3 during a family visit. He had initially faced accusations of spreading false information and harming national security after posting a verified video of a U.S. fighter jet crash near a local base.

The acquittal and subsequent departure follow the recent implementation of strict legislative measures in Kuwait. These new laws mandate heavy prison terms for disseminating news deemed to undermine confidence in military authorities. During his detention, the State Department provided consular assistance and maintained regular contact with the journalist.

A prominent figure in international media, Mr. Shihab-Eldin has previously contributed to The New York Times, Al Jazeera English, and PBS.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted that the crackdown on war-related content in the region has intensified since late February. Mr. Shihab-Eldin’s release marks the conclusion of a case that drew significant international attention to press freedom and the use of mobile technology in conflict reporting.