Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Leader of Kuwaiti opposition and former MP Musallam Al-Barrak turned himself in to Kuwaiti authorities to serve a nine-year prison sentence for what is known as the "the storming of the council" case.

On Friday evening, January 19, 2018, Al-Barrak appeared in a video clip confirming that he would surrender himself in the coming hours, as he had headed to Kuwait via the Nuwaiseeb border crossing.

Local media broadcast pictures of Al-Barrak surrounded by a number of policemen in the border region between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Al-Barrak, who spent two years in prison, was released on April 21, 2017 after serving his prison term over charges of "insulting the Emir" based on a 2011 political speech in which he sharply criticized the Emir.

Al-Barrak, who spent months outside prison, left for Saudi Arabia on the eve of the Court of Appeal verdict in the case involving the storming of the Kuwaiti Parliament by protesters in 2011, in which about 70 people are being tried.

The Court of Appeal issued harsh sentences against opposition activists and former as well as current MPs. MPs Waleed Al-Tabatabai and Juman Al-Harish turned themselves in to the authorities to serve their sentence.

The prison sentences ranged from one year to nine years. They were considered harsh rulings that caused tensions between the government and the opposition, which is represented by MPs in the current House of Representatives.

The sentences also caused shock to a number of Kuwaiti supporters of the opposition, especially that they came after acquittals issued by a court of first instance, which were expected to be upheld.

The Court of Cassation is scheduled to hold its hearing this week to look into the appeals. Activists expect the Cassation Court to issue an order for the suspension of sentences and release of defendants until the case is resolved by a court whose rulings are final and cannot be challenged.

Arabic Version