Abu Dhabi: The indictment circles in the case of Bangladeshi MP, Mohammad Shahid Islam, charged with human trafficking and money laundering, are growing by the day, Kuwaiti media reported.
Sources close to the investigation told Al Qabas newspaper that four new officials are being interrogated before the Public Prosecution - they are two directors of the Public Manpower Authority, a colonel in the Ministry of Interior, and a businesswoman.
Sources said that, until Thursday, the number of those under investigation had increased to nine. The number is expected to increase, according to investigations and confessions, which will be made by those subject to the interrogations of the prosecution.
The source added there is new information and evidence for the prosecution. “In a time-sensitive investigation, quick follow-up on crime tips and leads is critical to ensuring nothing slips through the cracks and all accomplices of the Bangladeshi MP are brought to justice sooner before later,” they said.
The sources affirmed arrest warrants will be issued for whoever received bribes or gifts to redeem the transactions of the Bangladeshi workers, who will be brought to justice.
Bangladeshi witnesses had ealier given a rare glimpse of the grip of the Bangladeshi MP on his compatriot workers.
The witnesses said the MP was like a mafia boss who demanded ‘taxes’ from poor, low-income workers, who obeyed and paid payments to him, Al Rai reported.
“The accused’s men were imposing a “royalty” on workers, at a value of 8 dinars per day,” a witness said.
The Bangladeshi MP is held in custody pending trial.
During interrogation, Shahid Islam reportedly confessed to have provided 1.1 million dinars ($3.58 million) by check to an official at the Ministry of Interior, one million dinars ($3.25 million) in cash to another official, in addition to “bags” of millions of dinars in cash to a third official, Kuwaiti media reported.
The Minister of Social Affairs, Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Maryam Al Aqeel, issued a decision to suspend a senior official in the Public Manpower Authority for three months, at the request of the Public Prosecution regarding the investigations conducted with him in the case of trafficking in persons.
Prosecutors heard testimonies of scores of Bangladeshi workers brought in Kuwait by the accused from Bangladesh for money.
Kuwaiti media have also accused the Bangladeshi MP of trading visas and siphoning off money to the US for laundering.
According to Al Qabas, the suspect is a member of a three-man racket whose other members include another Bangladeshi MP, whose wife is also an MP from the seats reserved for women.
It added that the trio occupied sensitive positions in three major companies that brought over 20,000 Bangladeshi workers into the country in exchange for large sums of money believed to be in excess of 50 million dinars ($163 million).
The MP reportedly channelled the money to the US to set up a company in partnership with an American national, according to the report.
He runs the Marafie Kuwaitia Group as managing director and CEO.
