Two Kuwaiti lawmakers indicted in case linked to MP Papul

Two Kuwaiti lawmakers have been accused of money laundering, aiding and abetting the Bangladeshi lawmaker Md Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul.

The Bangladeshi parliamentarian is currently in remand on human trafficking, visa trading and money laundering charges until the investigations are over.

A source close to the investigation told Al Qabas newspaper that Kuwaiti Public prosecutor would demand that parliamentary immunity of the two lawmakers be lifted, so that they can be interrogated, reports Gulf News. 

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. 

On June 7, Kazi Papul, a ruling party lawmaker from Laxmipur-2 constituency, was arrested over human trafficking and money laundering charges by the Kuwait's Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The judge of Mushrif magistrate court sent him to jail denying his bail plea on the same day. And, the court denied his bail plea three times as of June 10. 

Later on June 12, Papul was again produced in court and the prosecution was granted 21 more days in detention in the interest of further investigations into money laundering charges and bribery to manage Kuwaiti officials against him. 

Thus, the Bangladeshi lawmaker will remain in prison until July 2.   

Kuwaiti authorities have also imposed a freeze on the bank accounts of Kazi Papul and his company to prevent him from moving his assets beyond the jurisdiction of Kuwait courts.

Papul, the prime accused, had five million dinars in assets in Kuwait.