US Journalist Detained in Kuwait Confirmed Released and Departed by State Department Official
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a US-Kuwaiti journalist, was detained in Kuwait for online posts related to the Iran war but has been acquitted and released. A US State Department official confirmed his safe departure from Kuwait.
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- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 16:13
- 🔍 Collected: April 25, 2026 at 16:31 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 19:04 (2h 33m after Collected)
Iran-US War Key News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 24th, comprehensive foreign report) US officials stated that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a news journalist with dual American and Kuwaiti citizenship, who was detained by Kuwaiti authorities for online posts related to the Iran war, has now been released and has left Kuwait.
Reuters reported that a US State Department official confirmed today that 41-year-old Shihab-Eldin has left Kuwait.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted last week that Shihab-Eldin had not been seen publicly since March 2. Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, Gulf states clamped down on those filming or posting images of the conflict, leading to Shihab-Eldin's detention by Kuwaiti authorities.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Shihab-Eldin was visiting relatives in Kuwait at the time. He was arrested on March 3 and charged with spreading false information, endangering national security, and misusing a mobile phone.
The Committee to Protect Journalists cited a statement from Shihab-Eldin's sister's lawyer yesterday, stating that after nearly two months of detention, a Kuwaiti court had acquitted him of all charges. The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed this acquittal.
A US State Department official said: "We confirm that US journalist Shihab-Eldin has safely left Kuwait. The State Department maintained contact with Mr. Shihab-Eldin during his detention and provided consular assistance."
The official declined to comment further, citing privacy considerations. The Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On March 15, Kuwait enacted a law stipulating that anyone who spreads false rumors intended to undermine confidence in military units could face up to 10 years in prison. (Translated by Liu Shu-chin) 1150425
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 24th, comprehensive foreign report) US officials stated that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a news journalist with dual American and Kuwaiti citizenship, who was detained by Kuwaiti authorities for online posts related to the Iran war, has now been released and has left Kuwait.
Reuters reported that a US State Department official confirmed today that 41-year-old Shihab-Eldin has left Kuwait.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted last week that Shihab-Eldin had not been seen publicly since March 2. Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, Gulf states clamped down on those filming or posting images of the conflict, leading to Shihab-Eldin's detention by Kuwaiti authorities.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Shihab-Eldin was visiting relatives in Kuwait at the time. He was arrested on March 3 and charged with spreading false information, endangering national security, and misusing a mobile phone.
The Committee to Protect Journalists cited a statement from Shihab-Eldin's sister's lawyer yesterday, stating that after nearly two months of detention, a Kuwaiti court had acquitted him of all charges. The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed this acquittal.
A US State Department official said: "We confirm that US journalist Shihab-Eldin has safely left Kuwait. The State Department maintained contact with Mr. Shihab-Eldin during his detention and provided consular assistance."
The official declined to comment further, citing privacy considerations. The Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On March 15, Kuwait enacted a law stipulating that anyone who spreads false rumors intended to undermine confidence in military units could face up to 10 years in prison. (Translated by Liu Shu-chin) 1150425
Choose to stand with facts; every donation you make is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
No unauthorized reproduction, public broadcasting, public transmission, or use of the text, images, and videos on this website.