Shiites released in Kuwait amid protests

KUWAIT CITY, March 12 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Kuwait released five Shiite activists accused of plotting to overthrow the government and belonging to "Hezbollah Kuwait," local reports said.

The men include a former Member of Parliament Nasser Sorkhouh; a municipal council member, Fadhel Safar; and a prominent Shiit cleric, Hussein al-Maatouq, the Kuwaiti Times said Wednesday.

Kuwaitis took to the streets in protest of the detention and an attorney for one of the men said "Thank God they have been released and things will calm down."

Former Member of Parliament Abdulmohsen Jamal remained behind bars over an interview he gave to the al-Alam news network where he made harsh remarks against Kuwaiti security officials.

The men were accused of being members of "Hezbollah Kuwait," which prosecutors allege is trying to overthrow the Kuwaiti government.

Officials arrested the men at a rally following the Feb. 12 death of the military commander of Hezbollah, Imad Mughniyah, who was killed in Damascus. Sorkhouh described the allegations as "unfounded and fabricated" charges. Kuwaitis opposed the Sunni-led government and Mughniyah's death sparked public rallies.

Meanwhile, a senior member of Parliament, Ahmad al-Mulaifi, called for early elections and the dissolution of Parliament.