Kuwait arrests political commentator, revokes citizenship of two journalists

Washington, D.C., August 11, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Kuwaiti authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Kuwaiti political commentator Mohammed Saleh al-Sabti. 

Al-Sabti was arrested in July after taking part in an interview on Saudi-owned channel Al-Arabiya, according to the independent media outlet Newsroom, as well as a Kuwaiti blogger and a rights activist who confirmed his arrest to CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns.

In the interview, al-Sabti called for calm and de-escalation, saying, “we hope Iran will submit to reason and make peace with its neighbors, and commit to agreements” — a statement that prompted backlash on social media. CPJ could not independently verify the conditions of his arrest or the charges against him.

“Al-Sabti’s arrest is the latest example of the deteriorating press freedom situation in Kuwait, which has worsened considerably since the start of the Iran war in early 2026,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “The Kuwaiti government must end the weaponization of wartime conditions as a pretext to silence journalists through arrest and citizenship revocation.”

Al-Sabti is a well-known Kuwaiti political commentator who has written for and appeared on several media outlets, including Al-Arabiya, Kuwait-based newspaper Aljarida, and the independent outlet Arabi21, among others.

Also in July, Kuwait issued Emiri Decree No. 121 of 2026, revoking the citizenship of six people, including exiled blogger Mansoor al-Muhareb and exiled freelance journalist Abdullah al-Saleh.

“This is a harsh retaliatory measure against us, aimed at repressing us and making an example of us to repress Kuwaiti society,” al-Muhareb told CPJ. “What is dangerous is these measures extend to our families.”

On April 29, 2026, Kuwaiti authorities revoked the citizenship of U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin and his two sisters, just days after his release from two months of wrongful detention.

Since the Iran war began in late February, CPJ has documented a spike in crackdowns on journalists and media outlets across the Gulf — a trend that resumed after the collapse of the ceasefire in July.

CPJ emailed the Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington for comment but did not receive an immediate response.