Two Kuwaiti lawmakers have been indicted on allegations of money laundering and aiding and abetting the Bangladeshi Member of Parliament Md Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul, remanded in custody on charges of human trafficking and money laundering, prosecution investigation revealed.
A source close to the investigation told the local Al Qabas newspaper that Kuwaiti Public prosecutor would demand the parliamentary immunity of the two lawmakers be lifted so that they can be interrogated.
Maryam Al Aqeel, the Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, has ordered the suspension of a senior official in the Public Manpower Authority for three months, at the request of Public Prosecution, in view of an investigation conducted against him for his alleged involvement in human trafficking, reports Gulf News quoting several local news outlets.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Kuwait on June 7 arrested Lakshmipur-2 MP Kazi Papul on charges of human trafficking and money laundering from his residence in the Mushrif area in Kuwait.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh on June 9 sent letters to Kazi Papul, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law asking them to submit their personal documents including national identity cards, passports, TIN certificates, and copies of income tax returns as a part of the investigation.
On June 17, The ACC imposed a travel ban on Kazi Papul and three members of his family.
Later, on June 21, several Kuwaiti news media reported that Kuwaiti authorities had imposed a freeze on the bank accounts of Kazi Papul and his company the Marafie Kuwaitia Group.
On June 24, the Attorney General of Kuwait decided to imprison Bangladeshi lawmaker Md Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul for a period of 21 days in the central prison.
According to concerning sources, Kuwaiti public prosecutor decided to continue the imprisonment of the remaining accused and to release the owner of a company on bail of 2,000 dinars.
