Kuwait frees opposition politician after protests

Kuwait authorities released a prominent opposition politician, local media reported on Thursday, a day after police broke up a mass protest against his detention, dpa reported.

Musallam al-Barak was released on bail. He had been supposed to remain in jail for 10 days pending further questioning on charges of insulting the country's ruler Sabah al-Ahmed at a political rally.

Police Wednesday night used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades to disperse around 1,500 people protesting al-Barak's detention, reported the independent daily al-Qabas.

Kuwait banned gatherings of more than 20 people after an opposition rally on October 21 brought tens of thousands onto the streets.

The opposition, defying the ban, has called for a rally to be held Sunday to condemn alleged police violence against protesters. The opposition is also urging a boycott of early parliamentary elections scheduled for December 1.

Opposition groups have said they would boycott the polls to protest a controversial amendment to the electoral law.

They claim that the amendment will produce a rubber-stamp parliament.

Kuwait's opposition, dominated by tribal and Islamist forces, is pushing for a constitutional monarchy.

Although Kuwait holds broadly free elections, the government is appointed by the emir, who retains effective power.