Kuwait opposition activist held after warning ruler to avoid 'autocratic' steps
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Opposition groups in Kuwait say a leading political activist has been arrested on charges of criticizing the Gulf nation's ruler during protests.
The detention of former lawmaker Musallam al-Barrack is likely to raise tensions between Kuwait's ruling system and opposition factions led by Islamists, which seek to regain control of parliament in Dec. 1 elections.
Al-Barrack appeared late Monday on a pro-opposition TV station, Al-Youm, shortly before his arrest and urged for a major turnout at the next protest gathering planned for Sunday.
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Kuwait has the most politically empowered parliament among Gulf Arab states and tolerates open criticism of government officials. But denouncing the ruling emir remains a red line.
Earlier this month, al-Barrack warned the emir to avoid "autocratic rule" and not amend election rules.