Kuwaiti journalist to remain detained until December 1

A Kuwaiti journalist who has been held on libel and slander charges since November 22 and refused to pay bail has requested the public prosecutor to allow him to go home.

In a statement released on his behalf by his family, Mohammad Al Jasem said that he wanted all parties involved in the decision to detain him and deprive him of his freedom be legally questioned.

"I would like also to inform public opinion that the public prosecution has just made a decision to keep me detained until next Tuesday, December 1, until the end of the Eid holidays," the statement said.

"I have refused to pay the bail because it is my constitutional right not to do so. They have done everything to make pay the bail and go home, but I am not paying it."

Al Jasem was allegedly summoned for making remarks deemed offensive at a gathering in a diwnaiya in October.