In his verses, Muhammad Ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami praised the Arab Spring revolts that toppled four authoritarian leaders. He also criticized Qatar's former absolute monarch, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and mocked "sheikhs playing on their PlayStations", Reuters reported.
The appeal process has now been exhausted and his only chance of release is for the Persian Gulf's state's new Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to pardon him.
"This is the final sentence for Muhammad, there are no more appeals he now has to serve 15 years in prison," said Mohammed Rashid al-Ajami, a cousin of the accused who lives in Kuwait.
