Update: In an April 29, 2026, statement, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin’s attorneys clarified that the journalist was acquitted on only one of three charges.

Washington, D.C., April 23, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes a Kuwaiti court’s acquittal of U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin on all charges following nearly two months of detention. 

“We are relieved that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been found innocent after 52 days in detention,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “Ahmed’s freedom and safety remain our topmost priority and we will continue to closely monitor his case.”

He is an award-winning journalist who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, among others. He had not posted online since March 2, while visiting family in Kuwait, and was arrested on March 3.

Lawyers for Shihab-Eldin’s sisters said on April 23 that the journalist had been acquitted.