The Court of Cassation upheld the death sentence for a Kuwaiti man convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Syrian child. This final ruling affirms decisions made by the Criminal Court and the Court of Appeals in the high-profile case. Judicial sources indicated the confirmation occurred following a review of all evidence presented throughout the trial process.
The incident took place in Maidan Hawally on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr in 2025 when the victim a 9-year-old boy was heading to prayers. According to court documents the defendant lured the child to his apartment where the assault occurred. The man then left the boy naked on the street. Forensic reports verified the sexual assault as part of the evidence that led to the conviction.
The defendant has a criminal record dating to 2003 that includes prior cases of kidnapping and assaulting minors according to statements made in court by the victim’s lawyer. This background was cited as a reason for imposing the maximum penalty. Alaa Al-Saeedi represented the child and pushed for the application of Article 180 of the Penal Code.
Alaa Al-Saeedi argued before the court that the crime’s circumstances demanded capital punishment to protect children from similar threats. She noted the particular heinousness of abducting a child en route to religious observance. Al-Saeedi told the court that carrying out the death sentence would be a victory for justice and a strong message to anyone who might prey on the innocence or vulnerability of children. The Court of Cassation’s decision makes the sentence binding with no further avenues for appeal.
Al Qabas daily reported the initial sentencing in October 2025 which was subsequently upheld through the appeals process. Kuwait applies the death penalty in severe cases of this nature to deter potential offenders according to legal experts familiar with the penal code. The progression of the case through three court levels ensured thorough examination of forensic evidence and witness statements before the final confirmation.
