Court 8 July sentenced four former MPs to three and a half years in prison and reduced sentences of two MPs and one former MP to three and a half years for forcing their way into parliament in Nov 2011 to protest corruption, alongside dozens of activists. Court acquitted seventeen defendants and declined to sentence 34.

Court released on bail 44 defendants charged with storming parliament in 2011 until next hearing planned for 4 March; most of other 25 accused have left country.

Jailed activist Sulaiman Bin Jassim began hunger strike 3 Jan to protest sentencing of himself and 66 others for allegedly storming parliament in 2011; all 67 acquitted Dec 2013, but retried Nov 2017.

Govt 12 Dec announced formation of new cabinet, delayed by political infighting. Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait City 5 Dec, which lasted one day instead of two as planned, failed to ease dispute between Saudi-led bloc and Qatar; blockading countries Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain sent only ministerial-level delegations.

Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah 25 Oct warned that diplomatic and trade blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia-led bloc imposed early June for alleged support of Islamist groups could lead to collapse of Gulf Cooperation Council.

Govt ordered expulsion of Iranian ambassador and fourteen other diplomats and closure of Iranian cultural mission 20 July for their alleged links to “spy and terror” cell; Iran denied reports and said ambassador would remain to maintain dialogue.

Six arrested late Nov suspected of belonging to cell supplying weapons to Islamic State (IS), recruiting fighters and raising money; interior ministry said cell included two Syrians and two Australian-Lebanese.

Seven sentenced to death and eight to two-fifteen years in jail mid-Sept for involvement in 26 June bomb attack on Shiite mosque in Kuwait city; those on trial included Kuwaitis, Saudis and Pakistanis. Prosecutor 1 Sept announced 26 Kuwaitis, one Iranian charged with possessing weapons and contact with Iran and Hizbollah in order to plot attacks.

At least 26 suspected militants reportedly detained following 26 June bombing of al-Sadeq mosque that left 26 dead. Interior ministry 30 July said Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIL) network uncovered, several detained.

Bombing of Shiite mosque in Kuwait City 26 June left 27 dead and over 200 injured, Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIL) claimed responsibility. At least three suspects arrested; authorities said bomber was Saudi national; at least 60 more detained for suspected militant links. Interior minister 30 June said country in “state of war” with Islamist militants.