Latest news with #AlJarida
Arab Times
19-04-2025
- Arab Times
30 inmates released after Amir's directive to reduce life sentences
KUWAIT CITY, April 19: In accordance with the directives of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to reduce life sentences to 20 years, 30 inmates who had served more than 20 years at the Central Prison were released yesterday. Security sources informed Al Jarida that the General Administration of Correctional Institutions released 17 Kuwaiti citizens, who will be required to wear electronic monitoring bracelets for five years. Additionally, 13 expatriate inmates were transferred to the deportation prison, pending their removal from the country. The release of five other inmates is still under review, as they committed additional crimes while serving their sentences. The sources clarified that the decision to reduce life sentences did not apply to those convicted in state security or espionage cases. This includes individuals such as Alaa Hussein, the former head of Kuwait's interim government during the Iraqi invasion, and another citizen — an officer in the National Guard — convicted of espionage with Iraq during the Ba'ath regime. A committee reviewing life sentence cases required that each eligible prisoner obtain a certificate of rehabilitation counseling from the Ministry of Endowments. In addition, inmates must have no ties to foreign entities and no involvement in state security offenses. According to sources, the longest-serving expatriate inmate released was an Egyptian national who had served 33 years in prison for murder. Originally sentenced to death, he was pardoned by the victim's family, and his sentence was subsequently reduced to life imprisonment. Among Kuwaiti citizens, the longest-serving inmate had spent 27 years behind bars for drug trafficking. The majority of those released had been convicted of murder.
Gulf Insider
09-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Mulls Recovering State Funds From Fake Citizens
Kuwait is considering legal measures to reclaim public funds received by individuals who were recently stripped of their Kuwaiti citizenship due to forgery and fraud. According to Kuwaiti daily Al Jarida , the Ministry of Social Affairs has requested a legal opinion from the state's Legislation Department on whether it can initiate procedures to recover aid money previously disbursed to those whose citizenships were revoked. 'If approved, the ministry will immediately move to take legal action and begin the recovery process,' ministry sources told the newspaper. 'These are public funds with sanctity, unlawfully spent on individuals who obtained them through devious means,' they added. Kuwait, a nation of around 4.9 million — most of whom are expatriates—has recently intensified efforts to protect its national identity by cracking down on citizenship fraud and dual nationality, which is prohibited under Kuwaiti law. Since March last year, thousands have had their citizenships revoked for forgery or holding a second nationality. Meanwhile, Kuwait's Civil Service Commission has allowed female employees whose citizenships were revoked under Article 8—typically foreign wives of Kuwaiti men — to retain employment benefits. These include salaries, bonuses, leave entitlements, scholarships, and reduced working hours.
Gulf Insider
13-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Local Farm Produce Mandatory At Food Outlets In Kuwait
Kuwait has made it obligatory for food cooperatives across the country to buy local farm produce, in a new step aimed to promote national products. Minister of Social Affairs Amthal Al Huwailah, issued a related decree to support the promotion of local agricultural produce, support Kuwaiti farmers, and boost food security, Kuwaiti media reported. The ministry said in a statement that the decree obligates cooperative societies to purchase no less than 75% of their needs of local agricultural produce, provided that the purchase is made directly through approved auctions to ensure transparency and enhance the efficiency of buying and selling operations. The decree stipulates appointing a representative from each cooperative's staff to attend the daily auctions, with priority in appointment given to Kuwaitis in support of national labour in this sector. In addition, the decree requires cooperatives to allocate 30% of their total area of central markets to display local agricultural products to guarantee constant availability of the items to consumers. Accordingly, these outlets are obligated to put up clear price lists for all local products to ascertain transparency between consumers and farmers. The ministry sets a profit margin of no more than 20% on local farm products to ensure they are provided at fair prices to consumers. Local products will also be exempted from all conditions and restrictions imposed on other products to facilitate their marketing. In December, the Kuwaiti government ordered relief groups in the country to make sure that their humanitarian assistance is confined to products made at home. Under royal directives, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers issued a decree mandating the Red Crescent Society, civil society groups, and all government institutions concerned with providing in-kind aid to ensure that their assistance of all types must be national products manufactured inside Kuwait and bearing the state's emblem, according to Al Jarida newspaper. The measure 'contributes to strengthening the role and position of the State of Kuwait in humanitarian work and leaving a positive impression on the beneficiaries of this aid,' a government circular was quoted as saying.
