UNB: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior on Thursday said that Bangladeshi MP Shahid Islam Papul, arrested on charges of human trafficking, visa trading, and money laundering, is not a Kuwaiti citizen.
The ministry made the statement in a tweet a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the parliament that his seat will be declared vacant if he is a Kuwait citizen.
In its statement, the ministry also confirmed that the news which was circulated in some social media that the Bangladeshi accused obtained Kuwaiti citizenship, is incorrect and called upon all media to be accurate in publishing any news, reports Arab Times.
Its doors are open round the clock to respond to any inquiries related to security affairs, said the statement.
The deputy prime minister, minister of the interior and minister of state of cabinet affairs Anas-Al-Saleh said that it is an important issue that has manifestations of corruption and is now under the authority of Public Prosecution.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said MP Shahid did not go to Kuwait using the government or diplomatic passport and he had been doing business in Kuwait for over 29 years. He is the Managing Director and CEO of a company there.
The Kuwait government arrested him not as an MP of Bangladesh but as a businessman of Kuwait, said the Foreign Minister adding that he is probably a local resident of Kuwait.
On June 6, Kuwait’s Criminal Investigation Department arrested Shahid on charges of human trafficking, visa trading, and money laundering.
On June 20, the lawmaker from Laxmipur-2 constituency (independent), landed in Kuwait prison.
The Public Prosecutor of Kuwait had approached the Central Bank to freeze the bank accounts of Mohammad Shahid Islam.
The financial balance of the company amounts to about 5 million Kuwait dinars, including 3 million dinars as company’s capital.
