A Kuwaiti American journalist, Ahmed Shihab Eldin, has been acquitted after spending 52 days in detention in Kuwait over social media posts بشأن the United States and Israeli war in Iran. His arrest in early March drew condemnation from international rights groups and renewed scrutiny of media restrictions in the Persian Gulf since the conflict began.

Authorities had accused him of spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing a mobile phone. Rights advocates described the allegations as vague and said they reflected a broader pattern of silencing independent journalists. His lawyer said he was expected to be released imminently following the court’s decision.

Shihab Eldin was detained after sharing online commentary about the war and posting a geolocated video of a United States fighter jet that crashed near an air base in Kuwait after being mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses. Kuwaiti officials have not publicly acknowledged his detention.

The case comes amid a wider crackdown across the Persian Gulf, where governments have arrested individuals for sharing images or commentary related to Iranian strikes and the regional impact of the war. Kuwait, which ranks low in global press freedom assessments, has increasingly used media laws to curb criticism, citing national security concerns.