Trying to learn why Laxmipur-2 MP was detained by Kuwait CID: ambassador

Bangladesh Ambassador to Kuwait SM Abul Kalam told The Daily Star he has heard that the Kuwait CID detained Laxmipur-2 MP Mohammad Shahid Islam, also known as Kazi Papul, last night.

"I am trying to learn why he was detained," he said when asked if the embassy would provide any assistance to the MP.

The ambassador is also not aware whether any case has been filed against the MP.

"No human trafficking takes place from Bangladesh to Kuwait. What happens is visa trading," SM Abul Kalam said.

Meanwhile, Shahid Islam's wife Salina Islam told The Daily Star that the information published in some news outlets about her husband's detention in Kuwait is wrong.

"My husband has not been arrested in any case. The Kuwait government, as per the country's rules, called him to its respective department or CID for discussion regarding his business," Salina, also an MP from reserved seat 349, said.

She called upon all to refrain from spreading misinformation in this regard without any confirmation from the embassies concerned.

On February 27, The Daily Star ran a report which said The ACC has opened an enquiry into an allegation that Laxmipur-2 MP Mohammad Shahid Islam amassed Tk 1,400 crore by trafficking people to Kuwait and siphoned off the money to different countries.

Recently, some media outlets in Kuwait ran reports saying that three Bangladeshis were operating a human trafficking racket in the Middle Eastern country. On February 12, a report of the Arab Times, an English language daily, said one of the three was a "member of parliament in Bangladesh".

According to the report, which cited Arabic-language newspaper Al-Qabas, the trio "occupied sensitive positions" in three major companies that brought more than 20,000 Bangladeshi workers to Kuwait in exchange for an amount believed to be more than Tk 1,391.6 crore.