Kuwait’s State Security Court of Appeals has issued a series of rulings in separate state security cases, upholding acquittals for several defendants while confirming suspended sentences and ordering a psychiatric evaluation in another case.

The court upheld the acquittal of three accused, —a Kuwaiti citizen, a female student and a male student, who had been charged with inciting sedition and sympathizing with the enemy. The court noted that the two students were outside Kuwait at the time of the incidents and were unaware of the events in question.

In separate cases, the court also upheld decisions to refrain from imposing punishment on several Kuwaitis accused of promoting sectarian strife and expressing sympathy through posts on social media platforms including X, Instagram and WhatsApp.

The suspended sentences were accompanied by financial guarantees ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 dinars, with the accused required to maintain good conduct for two years.

The court also upheld the acquittal of another Kuwaiti citizen on charges of spreading false news and insulting Gulf states, while maintaining the decision to refrain from punishment on charges related to inciting sectarian discord and expressing sympathy.

In another case, the Appeals Court ordered that a Kuwaiti defendant be referred for a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental competency.

The accused had previously been convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on charges of inciting sectarian strife and sympathizing with the enemy, while being acquitted of charges including spreading false news, causing public panic during wartime and insulting Gulf states.

The rulings form part of the court’s ongoing review of appeals in cases involving national security and offences linked to social media activity.