KUWAIT: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KIDNAPPING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A CHILD

The Criminal Court, headed by Counselor Nasser Al-Badr and comprising Judges Abdulaziz Al-Muadhadi and Abdulhadi Al-Hajri, has sentenced a Kuwaiti citizen to death for the abduction and sexual assault of a 9-year-old child in Maidan Hawally on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, The Arab Times reported on October 27, 2025.
The defendant abducted the child as he was on his way to perform the Eid prayer, violently assaulted him at his apartment, and then abandoned him naked in the street. The incident sparked public outrage due to the vulnerability of the victim and the timing during an important religious occasion.
During court proceedings, the victim’s lawyer Alaa Al-Saeedi delivered a powerful defense, insisting on the harshest punishment as outlined in Article (180) of Kuwait’s Penal Code. This article mandates the death penalty for anyone who commits kidnapping through force, threat, or deception, especially when a child is targeted. The plea emphasized both the cruelty of the crime and the lasting trauma inflicted on the young victim, urging the court to set a strong precedent for deterring such acts in the future.
Article (180) of the Kuwaiti Penal Code has been applied in major criminal cases involving kidnapping and assault, notably where crimes involve children or vulnerable individuals.
The Criminal Court’s decision to issue the death sentence underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring severe penalties for crimes that exploit their innocence.
The public’s response has largely been supportive of the court’s decision, with many calling for further social and legal reforms to prevent child-targeted crimes. Community leaders and advocacy groups are urging the government to bolster educational programs and awareness initiatives to help children recognize and avoid potential threats.