Kuwait begins trial of MP Papul on Thursday
Bangladeshi lawmaker Kazi Papul and eight others face charges of human trafficking and money laundering
A Kuwait court is set to start the trial of Bangladeshi lawmaker Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul and eight others on charges of human trafficking and money laundering on Thursday.
Ataul Gani, general secretary of the Awami League's Kuwait chapter, has confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.
Kazi Papul, an independent lawmaker from the Lakshmipur-2 constituency, was arrested in Kuwait on June 6.
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Based on the complaints from at least five Bangladeshi nationals who claimed to have been trafficked, the Kuwaiti prosecutors charged Papul with human trafficking, money laundering and torture on expatriates.
During the interrogation by the Kuwait Criminal Investigation Department, Kazi Papul confessed to bribing Kuwait officials, and his statement has been published by different media outlets.
The Kuwait authorities have already frozen his bank accounts.
The Anti-Corruption Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department in Bangladesh have also opened several probes against the lawmaker.
Two Kuwaiti lawmakers – Saadoun Hammad and Salah Khorshid – are also facing trial for "taking bribes" from Kazi Papul.
Major General Mazen Sheikh Mazem Al Jarrah, assistant under-secretary of the interior ministry in Kuwait, is also among the accused.
The accused are being charged with human trafficking, money laundering, bribing and threatening state security, Al Qabas and Al Ra'I newspapers reported, citing the Kuwait public prosecution department.
