The acquittal of five Kuwaitis accused of "offending the emir" on Twitter has raised hopes for a more sensible approach to freedom of expression online.

Human Rights Watch has called on the Kuwaiti authorities to "take a cue" from the court's decision and end the criminalisation of "peaceful criticism of public officials".

Since October 2012, at least 35 people have been charged with offending the emir, HRW says. Criminal courts have sentenced at least six of them, including the three former members of parliament, to prison terms. 

One of those acquitted this week, Rashid al-Enzi, is currently serving a two-year prison term for "offending the emir" in a different case.

Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW says: "The Kuwaiti judicial system is clearly at odds with itself, sentencing some for offending the emir, while freeing others. The court needs to set clear and unequivocal precedent that offending the emir is not a legitimate charge."

Those acquitted this week were said to have caused offence byusing a Twitter hashtag which said "#battery" in Arabic. The hashtag allegedly referred to rumours that the emir has a battery-operated heart pacemaker.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 16 February 2013.