Daughter of imprisoned Kuwaiti activist pleads to Emir

Manama: The daughter of an imprisoned Kuwaiti activist has made an unprecedented televised emotional appeal to the country’s Emir, urging him to order his release.

Sumaya Al Jasem said on Al Rai television on Thursday evening that she was making the appeal to see her father Mohammad Al Jasem back home because he was innocent and had never attacked the Emir.

“My father has been detained for two weeks now. I want to clarify his positions and to stop those who want to unfairly accuse him of things he never said or wrote,” she said in the live appeal.

“I appeal to the father of all Kuwaitis, His Highness the Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. I do not know how to begin this plea, but I would like to read out excerpts from what my father had said about the Emir and the Al Sabah family.”

“He said, and I quote ‘I state my views publicly. There are those who support them and those who oppose them. I do not head a political party or a secret organisation. I do not seek to get anybody removed from their chairs or to harm them.’

“In November 2008, my father also wrote that the Emir of Kuwait was the envy of other rulers because he ruled over a people that truly loved him and his family…My father has learned dignity and self-esteem from the people and generous rulers of Kuwait. And we have learned from him our love for our country and for the Emir. My father has always pledged full allegiance to Kuwait, its Emir and its constitution,” she said.

However, three minutes into the passionate plea, a visibly overwhelmed Sumayya got chocked up and could not utter more words as the privately owned channel displayed archive pictures of the Emir sitting or holding hands with Al Jasem.

The channel beamed the plea live, without prior announcements or comments afterwards.

It was the first time in Kuwait that someone addresses the Emir on television to plead for the release of a prisoner.

The lawsuit against Al Jasem, 54, was filed by Shaikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad, the minister of the royal court and elder son of Kuwait's ruler.

Prosecutors accuse Al Jasem of undermining the status of the Emir, attacking the regime and spreading false news that harmed national interests. Al Jasem, a lawyer, has however denied the charges