Bangladesh embassy will not interfere in investigations carried out by Kuwait govt

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KUWAIT CITY, June 9: The Bangladeshi Ambassador to Kuwait S.M. Abul Kalam said the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait will not interfere in the investigations carried out by the Kuwaiti authorities against compatriot Muhammad Shahid Islam (Kazi Papul).

Shahid Islam, who is also a member of the Bangladesh Parliament, is accused of trafficking in humans. Abul Kalam told daily yesterday that the embassy will not provide any support to the arrested man until after his charges are determined by the Kuwaiti authorities. He also said he has not yet discussed the issue with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khaled Al-Jarallah.

He also said he is unaware if the detained man is facing imprisonment. He also said Shahid Islam has not yet contacted the embassy. Meanwhile, the Al- Rai daily said the Public Prosecution has ordered the continued detention of the Bangladeshi MP Shahid Islam, who is widely known in his country as ‘Kazi Babul’, pending further investigation. He has been charged with human trafficking, money laundering, and bringing thousands of menial workers to Kuwait in collaboration with his Kuwaiti partner. In the meantime, the accused told the Public Prosecution that he has been working in Kuwait for 10 years, and has a valid residence permit.

He also said he is a partner in one of the cleaning companies which he established in partnership with a Kuwaiti where he works as a general manager, and that he provides work to the Bangladeshi community in Kuwait. He denied taking any money from anyone and said to the contrary he has been helping his countrymen to earn a living.

Shahid Islam has denied what seven Bangladeshis testified in front of the Public Prosecution that each of them paid 2,500 dinars for the accused (Shahid Islam) to bring them to Kuwait to work as driver for his company, but when they arrived into the country they did not find any jobs instead they were asked to find a job for themselves. They also said when the time for renewal of their residence came, he asked them to pay more money. Following their confessions the suspect was arrested from his home in Mishref and referred for interrogation

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