Manama: A Kuwaiti court on Monday extended the detention of Kuwaiti lawyer and columnist Mohammad Al Jasem until June 21.
The court said that it would hear the testimony of an investigation officer on the case that has divided the Kuwaiti society and sparked international calls for the release of the 54-year-old detainee.
Al Jasem, charged with damaging national interests, told the court that his detention was illegal and his team of lawyers called for his immediate release, according to Kuwaiti media.
The court kept the defendant in police custody, but agreed to have him examined by a medical team to assess his health condition. His family said that he had had heart problems in the past.
The public prosecutor last month imposed a gag on the coverage of the trial of Al Jasem who last November was detained for 12 days in a separate case initiated by the Kuwaiti prime minister who accused him of slander.
He was sentenced in April to six months in jail and a fine of $17,500. However, the court suspended the jail term until the ruling of the court of appeals.
The new law suit was filed by Shaikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad, the minister of the royal court, over articles written by Al Jasem.
