KUWAIT CITY, May 4: Gulf nations should take a unified and tough stand against the Iranian malpractices as the recent discovery of a spy network allegedly operating in Kuwait for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is not the first, since a number of similar operations have been carried out by the military unit and others over the last years, MP Mohammed Hayef Al-Mutairi said Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament, Al-Hayef announced his decision to wait for completion of ongoing investigations before presenting a request to hold a special session to discuss national security affairs.
“Latest developments on the spy network issue prompted us to wait before presenting the request, especially since the ongoing investigations hinted on the existence of similar networks in most Gulf nations,” Al-Mutairi explained.
Affirming that leaders of Arab and Gulf nations are currently coordinating with each other to get updates on the investigations, Al-Mutairi stressed the need for a better dialogue between Iran and Gulf nations to address the issue. He called on the Gulf countries, which support Iran’s stand on its nuclear program, to review their relations with Iran to stop such malpractices.
Al-Mutairi also called on the Kuwaiti government to expose the identities of the members of the spy network, as well as its local and international supporters. He reiterated the need to expel the Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, considering that the Ministry of Defense (MoD) officials have confirmed reports on the operation of the spy network in the country.
Commenting on the same issue, parliamentary Interior and Defense Affairs Committee Chairman MP Askar Al-Enezi said the tension instigated by the media through the publication of reports on the alleged arrest of members of the spy network is not in the interest of Kuwait’s political, security, social and economic sectors. He also reminded the public on the importance of respecting the wish of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who had repeatedly advised the people to refrain from harming neighboring and allied countries and their leaders.
In a press statement Tuesday, Al-Enezi appealed to the public to avoid instigating conflicts over such a sensitive issue. He added, “We should allow the security authorities to do their job, instead of pre-empting the investigations through the issuance of unfounded statements.”
Al-Enezi pointed out there is no problem in holding a special session to discuss this issue but it should be done after completion of the investigations. He also stressed the need for the government to issue an official statement once the investigations are over.
Agencies add: A government spokesman said on Monday that Kuwaiti security agencies have been questioning a number of suspects in connection with the spy cell.
But Mohammed al-Baseeri declined to give details on the number of suspects, their nationalities or the charges against them. He also declined to say if the spy cell was linked to Iran.
Newspapers reported on Tuesday that the number of people detained rose to 11 after security forces arrested four new suspects.
The reports said members of the network were asked to monitor and take pictures of Kuwaiti and US military sites for the Revolutionary Guards.
Iran has categorically denied any link to the Kuwaiti cell.
Meanwhile, a joint committee, comprising military personnel and members from the State Security police, has been formed to follow up investigations with members of the so-called spy cell which has been allegedly working for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting knowledgeable security sources.
The sources added 12 people have been arrested so far and four of them have given a detailed account of their activities. Their confessions have been recorded.
According to the confessions an unidentified diplomat of a foreign country provided them with maps and devices to track the presence and movements of the coalition forces in Kuwait. The diplomat is said to have fled the country after the cell members were arrested.
The sources also disclosed a family was caught in possession of maps, devices and large sums of money. Some people who have close contacts with the family have been summoned for interrogation.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states said the security of a member state is inseparable, reports Al-Seyassah daily.