Manama: A Kuwait blogger on trial for allegedly abusing Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) will know his fate on June 4, a court ruled on Monday.
According to the case papers, Hamad Al Naqi, between February 5 and March 27, posted comments and tweets that insulted Prophet Mohammad, his companions Abu Baker, the first Caliph, and Othman, the second caliph, and his wife Aysha. The abuses were likely to stoke sedition within the community and mobilise segments alongside sectarian lines, the prosecutor said.
The tweets, on two different accounts, denigrated and insulted the political regimes in two Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and could undermine Kuwait's national interests, the court heard, Al Aan news site reported.
Al Naqi was also charged with posting remarks that denigrated Islam as a religion, ridiculed its beliefs and teachings and scorned its iconic figures.
The 26-year-old defendant who was also accused of using his mobile to post abusive remarks, had pleaded not guilty to the charges and that his account had been hacked.
Al Naqi was arrested in March and his case deeply divided the nation's views on the use of social networks.
Several lawmakers have called for his death for insulting God and His prophet while others defended him as someone who expressed his views freely.
Although sectarian tension is not deep in Kuwait, several cases have recently resulted in standoffs between the two main sects.
The parliament, dominated by Islamist and tribal representatives, has passed a draft law that stipulates the death penalty for anyone found guilty of insulting God, Prophet Mohammad or his companions or relatives.
