Human Trafficking: Kuwaiti PP asks for lifting its MPs’ immunity

Kuwait's Public Prosecution has requested the National Assembly to lift immunity of three Kuwaiti MPs accused of visa trading, human trafficking, bribery, and money laundering, reported the Arab Times yesterday.

After receiving the requests on Saturday, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem referred the requests to the Parliamentary Legislative Committee that will hold a close-door meeting for a decision on the requests for lifting immunity.

Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul, who co-owns four companies in Kuwait, was arrested on June 6 on charges of human trafficking, money laundering, visa trading and bribery. He was sent to jail after days of interrogation when he confessed to bribing millions of dollars for getting job contracts from various government ministries.

The issue has raised a huge hue and cry in Kuwaiti assembly in the recent weeks. Kazi Papul's one of the companies -- Marafie Kuwaitia -- recruited some 20,000 foreign workers mostly Bangladeshis, but is accused of charging around Tk 7 lakh tot Tk 9 lakh.

Workers alleged that they were also charged for work permit renewals and paid less than contracted wages.

The Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh also opened investigation into the allegations that Kazi Papul laundered Tk 1,400 crore. It has recently issued a travel ban on Papul's family members.

While the prosecution is continuing its probe into the case of Kazi Papul, a source revealed to the Arab Times that the investigators examined all transfers between the first accused and all of his political and influential clients.

The public prosecution of Kuwait formally accused two current lawmakers and is searching for evidence as per the accusation against a third MP.

The names of two other former MPs and a candidate for the National Assembly have also surfaced for their alleged link to Kazi Papul's business, the Arab Times reported.