Call for Release of Ahmed Shihab El-Din

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is urging the immediate release of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab El-Din, who is currently detained in Kuwait due to new security and misinformation laws.

Shihab El-Din was reportedly arrested on March 3. Known for his active presence on social media, he hasn’t posted since March 2, and friends and family have expressed concern as he hasn’t been seen in public while visiting relatives in Kuwait. This week, they went public, hoping that drawing attention to his situation might help secure his freedom.

The exact charges against him haven’t been made public. However, CPJ believes they revolve around “spreading false information, violating national security, and misuse of mobile phones.” The nonprofit organization advocates for press freedom and describes these claims as “vague and overbroad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists.”

Sarah Cuda, CPJ’s regional director, stated, “We call on Kuwait to release Ahmed Shihab El-Din and drop all charges against him.” She emphasized, “Journalism is not a crime,” adding that this situation reflects a recurring pattern of using national security laws to suppress independent reporting.

CPJ highlighted that Shihab El-Din’s case exemplifies the broader suppression of press freedom that has intensified in the Middle East since the onset of the Iran war. Just before Shihab El-Din’s arrest, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior had issued a warning against sharing images and information about missiles and their locations. Khalid Ibrahim, director of the Gulf Human Rights Center, informed CPJ that numerous arrests linked to freedom of expression have occurred since the war began.

Kuwait has since instituted a new decree that allows for prison sentences of up to ten years for anyone perceived to undermine military prestige or public confidence in the military.

Shihab El-Din, recognized for his contributions to the New York Times, Huffington Post, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Vice News, had posted footage of a U.S. fighter jet crashing near a military base in Kuwait shortly before his apprehension. Clarissa Ward, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent, mentioned that Shihab El-Din remains silent and that his video shouldn’t have led to such consequences.

“What this situation indicates is the severe security restrictions we’ve witnessed in the Gulf since the beginning of this war,” Ward reflected. It remains unclear if the footage directly triggered his detention, yet many believe it played a significant role. Interestingly, this video is publicly accessible and had been shared by CNN as well.

Caroline Modaressi Tehrani, a journalist and friend of Shihab El-Din, emphasized the importance of his release. “I worked with him at HuffPost Live. His compassionate reporting particularly highlighted underserved communities. His detention is a concerning reminder of the risks faced by journalists today,” she stated. “Mr. Ahmed should be released immediately.”

Luke Wall, another colleague, echoed similar sentiments, expressing that Shihab El-Din is well-loved for his kindness and reasoning. “He committed no crime, and every American should demand his immediate release,” Wall noted.

A spokesperson from the State Department acknowledged the situation but stated that they cannot comment extensively due to privacy concerns. The spokesperson mentioned that they strive to provide consular assistance according to U.S. and international law when a U.S. citizen is detained abroad.

CPJ continues to keep track of violations against press freedom related to the U.S.-Iran conflict and has reported numerous incidents involving journalists, including fatalities and threats. Many people have taken to social media, using hashtags #freeahmed, #freeahmedeldin, and #journalismisnotacrime to raise awareness about Shihab El-Din’s situation.