Minister of Justice: Cases of assault on the person decrease by 53.2% during the first half of 2026

Justice Minister and Legal Advisor Nasser Al-Sameet announced that statistics from the Ministry of Justice regarding cases registered before the Public Prosecution showed a 53.2 percent decline in cases of assault on persons during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, with the total number of cases dropping from 607 to 284.

Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday, Al-Sameet said that a breakdown of the cases revealed a 7.7 percent decrease in intentional homicide and attempted homicide cases, falling from 26 to 24. Petty assault cases dropped by 63.6 percent, from 376 to 137, while cases of threats of killing or causing harm fell by 43.4 percent, from 99 to 56.

He added that suicide and attempted suicide cases decreased by 44.3 percent, from 61 to 34. Additionally, felonies involving assault causing severe physical pain declined by 62.5 percent, from 16 cases to six.

In a related development, the government continued to develop the judicial system through a package of legislative amendments approved during 2025 and 2026. These included the repeal of Article 153 of the Penal Code, which previously granted a mitigating legal excuse to a man who killed his wife or one of his female mahrams upon catching them in the act of adultery, as well as the repeal of Article 159 concerning the mitigating excuse for a mother who kills her newborn immediately after birth to ward off shame. The amendments also tightened penalties for crimes of negligent homicide and negligent injury, criminalized the possession of white weapons in public places without legitimate justification, and increased penalties for their use in assaults or acts of terror.

Al-Sameet noted that the reforms also included the issuance of a new law on protection from domestic violence, and the prohibition of waiving rights or reaching settlements in cases involving children assaulting their parents, as well as crimes committed against children and individuals with diminished or lost legal capacity.

The Minister of Justice affirmed that the ministry would continue to monitor statistical indicators and evaluate the impact of legislative reforms, working to develop the judicial system in a manner that strengthens societal protection and preserves security and stability.