The Court of Appeals upheld the death sentence imposed on a Kuwaiti citizen convicted of premeditated murder for luring his wife to a remote desert spot in Mutlaa and running her over with his car on March 30, 2025, the opening day of Eid al-Fitr. The lower court had relied on forensic evidence and technical examinations of the scene that established the act was intentional, leading to the maximum penalty. Attorney Abdulmohsen Al-Qattan, representing the victim’s family, had pressed for confirmation of the verdict during earlier sessions, citing medical evaluations that showed the defendant was feigning illness to avoid responsibility. Al-Seyassah daily first detailed the postponement of the announcement from September 16 to September 23 as proceedings continued.
During the appeals process, the defense attempted to challenge the conviction by claiming health issues impaired the defendant’s actions, yet forensic analyses and psychiatric assessments contradicted those assertions. The Court of Appeals, after reviewing the full case file, determined the evidence supported the original finding of guilt and the appropriateness of the death penalty. Al-Qattan had argued that the family sought finalization of the ruling to achieve justice, emphasizing the brutality involved in using a vehicle as a weapon against the victim. The decision aligns with a series of similar outcomes in violent domestic cases this year.
The crime came to light after the victim was reported missing following the holiday, prompting an investigation that uncovered the defendant’s role through witness accounts and physical traces at the location. Lower courts had convicted him based on the premeditated nature of the offense, which involved forcing entry into her vehicle before carrying out the fatal act. Public prosecution officials had demanded the harshest punishment available under Kuwaiti law, describing the killing as a calculated violation that left no room for leniency. Records from the initial trial in October 2025 outlined how the defendant showed no immediate remorse upon arrest.
Al-Qattan told local outlets that the upheld sentence represented a measure of closure for the heirs, who filed a civil claim seeking compensation alongside the criminal proceedings. The lawyer highlighted how psychiatric reports ruled out any genuine mental impairment, reinforcing the court’s view of full criminal responsibility. This case adds to multiple instances in 2026 where the judiciary has confirmed capital punishment for spousal killings involving extreme violence, according to compilations by Kuwaiti dailies. The ruling now advances to potential final review stages under the emirate’s legal framework.
Kuwait’s judicial system has processed a notable number of capital cases in recent years, with appeals courts frequently sustaining death penalties in premeditated murders to deter such acts. In comparable rulings, such as those involving dismemberment or repeated assaults, the Court of Appeals has emphasized forensic backing and the absence of mitigating factors. Local observers note that while sentences are upheld, actual executions remain rare and subject to ratification by the emir. The Mutlaa incident, occurring in a public holiday period, drew particular attention due to its timing and method.
Further details from the investigation showed the defendant had planned the encounter in an isolated area to minimize witnesses, only for evidence to quickly link him to the scene. The victim’s family expressed satisfaction with the outcome through their legal representative, who stressed the need for the penalty to match the crime’s severity. This verdict forms part of a broader pattern of strict enforcement against domestic violence cases that escalate to homicide, as tracked in annual judicial summaries. Authorities continue to prioritize thorough examinations in such matters to ensure rulings rest on solid evidentiary grounds.
