Kuwaiti Authorities Detain Journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin Over Iran War Social Media Posts

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was detained by Kuwaiti authorities on March 2 while visiting family.

“Arrest of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin in Kuwait: What You Need to Know Kuwaiti authorities launched a crackdown on those alleged to violate the country's media law during the war with Iran”

Al-Monitor

CPJ reported he was charged with spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone.

Al-Monitor

He had shared publicly available footage including a video of a U.S. fighter jet crash near a Kuwaiti air base.

His social media accounts were inactive as of April 14.

The detention came amid a widening crackdown on press freedom across the Gulf.

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior warned against filming or publishing videos related to Iranian attacks.

On March 15, Kuwait enacted Law No. 13 of 2026 imposing prison sentences up to 10 years for spreading false rumors related to military entities.

BBC

Shihab-Eldin was reportedly being prosecuted by a new specialized court.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights said dozens had been arbitrarily detained since the war began.

The CPJ condemned Shihab-Eldin's detention as part of a broader pattern of repression.

“- Published An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been detained by authorities in Kuwait after he commented on videos and images related to the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said”

BBC

Sara Qudah said journalism is not a crime.

Ashish Prashar condemned the arrest as a grave misstep.

The Guardian reported Kuwait had transformed into a police state.

Nine journalists were killed and 11 detained across the wider region since the war began.