KUWAIT: APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS DEATH SENTENCE FOR WOMAN BEHIND FATAL WEDDING TENT FIRE

March 4, 2024:

Kuwait Court of Appeals on March 1, 2024 confirmed a death sentence for Nasra al Enezi, found guilty of igniting a fire at a wedding tent, resulting in the loss of 57 lives, primarily women and children.
This incident occurred in the tribal area of Jahra in August last year.
The fire unfolded during a celebration marking the marriage of al Enezi's husband to another woman. According to reports, the tent, which was illegally erected and lacked adequate exit facilities, was quickly engulfed in flames, leading to a high casualty rate.
Initial investigations linked al Enezi to the act, suggesting it was driven by jealousy. Despite her lawyer's claims of a forced confession and lack of concrete evidence, the courts have remained steadfast in their verdict, pushing the case towards the Supreme Court.
The public and familial reactions to the sentencing have been mixed, with some calling for the maximum penalty in light of the severe psychological and physical trauma suffered, while others question the morality of executing a woman. As the case progresses to the Supreme Court, it not only brings to the forefront the complexities of legal justice in cases of mass tragedy but also underscores the broader societal implications concerning women's rights and capital punishment in Kuwait.