‘Papul is not a Kuwaiti citizen’

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior on Thursday (July 9) said that Bangladeshi lawmaker Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul alias Kazi Papul is not a Kuwaiti citizen.

The Ministry of Interior stated this in a statement, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Laxmipur-2 constituency will be announced vacant, if Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul alias Kazi Papul is found to have citizenship of Kuwait.

The ministry also confirmed in a press statement that what was circulated about the accused obtaining Kuwaiti citizenship is incorrect, calling on all media and social media to be accurate in what they publish, reported Arab Times.

Ministry stated that the doors are open around the clock to respond to any inquiries related to security The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said, "It is an important issue that has manifestations of corruption and is now under the authority of the Public Prosecution."

CID of Bangladesh Police has filed a case against Papul and his three associates on allegations of human trafficking.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has termed the charges of international crimes and corruption such as human trafficking and money laundering against a lawmaker as a disrespectful example of criminalisation in Bangladesh's politics and public representation.

The CID launched an official investigation into the human trafficking allegations against Papul on July 6. Papul was picked up from his rented house in the country on the night of June 6._Agencies

Read more: Papul’s seat will be vacant if he is a citizen of Kuwait: PM

Dhaka/AI