KUWAIT CITY, June 24: Kuwait’s supreme court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence against one of the ruling family member for drug trafficking.

According to reports, authorities arrested Sheikh Talal on charges of drug trafficking in April 2007 by orders of Kuwait Defence Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah and recovered a large quantity of drugs, including 10 kg cocaine and 120 kg hashish from his possession.

Sheikh Talal can now appeal to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who also has the right to commute it.

It is believed to be the first time that a member of a ruling family in one of the Gulf Arab states receives the death sentence for a drug offence.