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The Public Prosecution detailed Decree-Law No. 47 of 2026 during a media briefing shortly after its publication in Official Gazette issue No. 1782. Fahad Al-Mutairi, a member of the Technical Office at the Public Prosecution, explained that the legislation provides a comprehensive legal structure defining terrorist acts as offenses against individuals, property, public facilities, transportation or cyberspace intended to spread fear, undermine security or pressure authorities. The decree-law, dated March 15, 2026, entered into force immediately and applies to relevant acts committed inside or outside Kuwait when they affect national security or interests, according to a Kuwait Times report on the briefing.
Kuwait Times reported that the new measure distinguishes between a terrorist organization, an individual terrorist and a state of terrorist danger. The Public Prosecution affirmed that the law aligns with international standards, including recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force and the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Officials noted that the framework closes previous legislative gaps while maintaining principles of criminal legitimacy and fairness in application.
A KUNA dispatch indicated that the decree-law establishes a National Committee for Combating Terrorism tasked with setting the national strategy, coordinating efforts among relevant bodies and ensuring overall compliance. The committee forms a central element in the law’s approach to addressing both domestic and cross-border threats. This structure builds upon earlier legislation, including Law No. 106 of 2013 on terrorism financing, which a separate KUNA release referenced in connection with the updated rules.
The legislation also covers preventive measures and imposes strict penalties, with the statute of limitations lifted for certain terrorism-related offenses, Kuwait Times stated. Public Prosecution officials emphasized during the briefing that the law strengthens Kuwait’s capacity to confront evolving security challenges while protecting societal stability. Relatedly, Attorney General Saad Al-Safran issued Decision No. 107 of 2026 to create a specialized prosecution office with exclusive authority over cases involving state security, terrorism financing and military interests under the new decree.
Decree-Law No. 13 of 2026 on protecting supreme military interests was published alongside the terrorism measure and complements its objectives, according to the Public Prosecution. That law focuses on safeguarding military entities and was highlighted in the same briefing by Al-Mutairi. Both texts appeared in a supplement to Kuwait Al-Youm, with the combined package reflecting coordinated steps to address internal and external risks.
KUNA reported that the official gazette distributed the texts on March 16, 2026, allowing immediate implementation across government agencies. The updates coincide with Kuwait’s ongoing regulatory alignment on counter-terrorism financing, an area where the country has maintained compliance with multilateral benchmarks in recent years. Authorities have directed all relevant departments to apply the provisions uniformly as part of the broader national security architecture.
