Kuwait Court Drops Case Against Notorious Pentagon Hacker

Palace of Justice in Kuwait
Palace of Justice in Kuwait
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Kuwait Court Drops Case Against Notorious Pentagon Hacker

Palace of Justice in Kuwait
Palace of Justice in Kuwait

The Kuwaiti Court of Cassation upheld on Sunday the dismissal of criminal charges against a notorious Kuwaiti hacker who had infiltrated hundreds of websites around the world, including the US Department of Defense’s (Pentagon) website.
The Court of Cassation, the highest judicial authority, affirmed a previous ruling by the Court of Appeals that the 28-year-old defendant could not be prosecuted for the allegations in this case, which occurred 10 years ago.
The accused faced criminal charges related to his hacking of the US Department of Defense website, accessing sensitive weapon sites, and infiltrating 200 American websites, with the information being published in 2011.
On October 9, 2023, the Criminal Court dropped the criminal case against the hacker accused of breaking into global websites, including the Pentagon’s website.
The court’s decision to drop the charges against the hacker was based on the principle that the accused could not be tried for accusations committed over 10 years ago, as the acts were carried out from 2010 to 2012.
The charge of endangering Kuwait’s potential to sever relations by hacking the US Department of Defense website was also dismissed.
The prosecution had accused the defendant of hacking more than 200 sites, some of which contained confidential information belonging to the US.
The hacker was also accused of deceitfully appropriating money through fraud by marketing his website post-hack to attract victims to subscribe and browse the website.



Ceremony Begins to Replace Kiswa of Holy Kaaba, Continuing a Legacy of Over 100 Years

The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
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Ceremony Begins to Replace Kiswa of Holy Kaaba, Continuing a Legacy of Over 100 Years

The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)
The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms. (SPA)

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, officially started the annual ceremony to replace the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba, a tradition that has been carried out for over a century.

As part of the carefully coordinated process, the complex began by removing the gilded curtain from the Kaaba door, which measures 6.35 meters in length and 3.33 meters in width, as well as dismantling the chandeliers and decorative ornaments, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

This marks the beginning of replacing the old Kiswa with a new one, crafted with exceptional precision and spiritual significance. The new Kiswa is currently en route to the Grand Mosque, accompanied by a comprehensive system of logistical and operational support that follows the highest global standards.

A fully Saudi team of 154 trained craftsmen, each scientifically and practically qualified, is overseeing the process. Their duties include raising the old Kiswa, detaching the gilded elements, and installing the new Kiswa, which comprises 47 intricately embroidered black silk panels featuring 68 Quranic verses stitched with 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. The entire Kiswa weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.

To create the new Kiswa, the team used 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread, 60 kilograms of pure silver, 825 kilograms of silk, and 410 kilograms of raw cotton. Additionally, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines within the complex.

The ceremony is a profound expression of the Kingdom's dedication to serving Islam’s holiest sites. The continued renewal of the Kaaba's Kiswa stands as a majestic and enduring symbol of reverence, care, and spiritual legacy upheld by Saudi Arabia for over a century.