A teacher has been sentenced to 11 years in prison today for tweets that insulted Kuwait’s ruler and encouraged his overthrow.

Huda al-Ajmi, 37, received the longest known sentence for online dissent in the Gulf state, according to Kuwaiti opposition groups.

She reportedly faced three separate charges that included insulting the Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, which carries a one-year sentence in itself.

The other two five-year prison terms were given for inciting rebellion against the regime and violating laws on public discussions.

Although Kuwait is more liberal than many Gulf states, authorities are

increasingly cracking down on perceived dissent over social media.

However, it is unusual for a woman to serve jail time for political crimes in Kuwait.

Recently two female activists were punished with lighter jail terms but ended up with suspended sentences.