International pressure is mounting on Kuwait to release an American-Kuwaiti journalist who has been detained for over a month, with concerns his arrest is tied to social media posts about the ongoing war in Iran. Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a prominent journalist and media figure with past contributions to outlets like the New York Times, HuffPost, and Vice, has not been seen publicly or active online since 2 March, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Detention Linked to War Coverage
The CPJ, a leading press freedom organization, believes Eldin's detention may stem from footage he shared while visiting family in Kuwait. One of his final posts included a CNN-verified, geolocated video showing a US fighter jet crash near an American air base in Kuwait. Additionally, he commented on public videos and images related to the Iran conflict, activities that have drawn scrutiny from authorities.
After the outbreak of the Iran war, Kuwait's Ministry of the Interior issued warnings against filming or publishing information about the attacks, noting several arrests for spreading false news. Individuals accused of violating media laws have been referred to authorities, highlighting a crackdown on independent reporting.
Charges and Broader Implications
In a statement, the CPJ indicated that Eldin is likely facing charges of spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone. These accusations are described as vague and overly broad, often used to silence journalists who challenge official narratives. Journalism is not a crime, and Shihab-Eldin's case reflects a broader pattern of using national security laws to stifle scrutiny and control the narrative, said Sara Qudah, CPJ's regional director, in a Wednesday release.
Friends of Eldin went public this week to advocate for his release, as reported by CNN. The UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese praised him as one of the most gentle souls and a journalist of rare strength, unwavering integrity, and deep compassion, underscoring the global concern over his safety.
Profile and Achievements
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is renowned for his journalism and social media presence, boasting over two million followers. His Instagram profile appears to have been deleted or deactivated since his detention. Beyond journalism, he is an actor, starring in the 2025 film Palestine 36, and a recipient of multiple Amnesty awards.
- In 2023, he won the Amnesty International UK Media Award in Digital Creativity for his documentary Queer Egypt Under Attack.
- In 2025, he shared the Amnesty International Human Rights Defenders Award with Emmy-winning journalist Bisan Owda, Plestia Alaqad, and Anas Al-Sharif, the latter killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike in August 2025.
The Independent has reached out to Eldin's team and the Kuwaiti government for comment, but responses are pending as calls for his release grow louder amid fears for press freedom in the region.
