MP Shahid not a Kuwaiti citizen, says the country’s ministry of interior

Bangladeshi lawmaker Shahid Islam Papul is not a Kuwaiti citizen, said Kuwait's Ministry of Interior today, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the parliament that his seat would be vacated if it is found that Papul secured Kuwaiti citizenship.

"We are talking with the Kuwait government whether he [Papul] is a citizen of Kuwait or not…we'll look into it. If he's a citizen of Kuwait, then we will have to vacate his seat because law will take its own course," Hasina said on Wednesday.

Kuwait's General Administration of Relations and Security Media at the Ministry of Interior said it was circulated in some social media that the Bangladeshi accused obtained Kuwaiti citizenship, knowing that he resides in the country according to the Aliens Residence Law.

"What was circulated about obtaining Kuwaiti citizenship [by Shahid Islam Papul] is incorrect," it said.

The administration called on all media and social media to be accurate in running news, confirming that its doors are open around the clock to respond to any inquiries related to security affairs.

Shahid Islam, lawmaker from Laxmipur-2 constituency, is managing director and chief executive officer of Marafie Kuwaitia Group. He was arrested by Kuwaiti CID on June 6 on charges of human trafficking, money laundering and bribing.

During quizzing by Kuwait's Public Prosecution, he confessed to bribing Kuwaiti officials millions of dollars for getting job contracts for foreign workers, mostly Bangladeshis.

Workers alleged they had to pay Tk 7-9 lakh each for jobs in Kuwait but were paid lower than that was contracted for and even left jobless. Some Kuwaiti officials have also been detained in connection with the case.