Islamic Activist Mubarak Al-Bathali Tuesday denied receiving KD 1,000 from some youths for completing their travel formalities to Iraq and Afghanistan to help them fight jihad in these countries. This came when the Criminal Court asked Bathali about the charge against him before the court set Jan 27, to issue its verdict in the State Security case which has been filed against Bathali. Bathali's lawyer Sanad Al-Thuwaimer told the court what his client had said was just a statement during an interview which was misunderstood by some people.
Thuwaimer also said there was no criminal intent in his client's words. He added the arresting officer's investigations were not serious and requested the court to acquit his client. Bathali had already been released on KD 1,000 bail and a travel ban has been slapped against him following an interview with a local daily on May 7, 2008. In an interview with Al-Qabas daily, Bathali said he hoped to be the al-Qaeda leader in Kuwait. "However, the youths organize themselves in a way that is related to their trust in others," he said. "If someone tries to contact me and I am not available directly, I examine him and then send him to perform organized 'jihad'," he added. The session was presided over by Judge Abdurrahman Al-Darmi. |