Latest news with #Article1
Arab Times
22-05-2025
- Arab Times
The Story of Three Syrian Brothers and a Forged Kuwait Citizenship
KUWAIT CITY, May 22: In a high-profile case of forged nationality, informed sources have revealed that three brothers—one of whom obtained Kuwaiti citizenship under false pretenses are at the center of a large-scale fraud investigation that has exposed decades-old manipulation of the naturalization system. According to investigative findings, the eldest brother, originally of Syrian descent, was granted Kuwaiti citizenship in the 1960s under Article 1 of the Nationality Law by submitting a falsified birth date. Though he was born in the 1950s, he claimed to be born in the 1940s to meet the age requirement for naturalization. He later secured a job in Kuwait's oil sector, built a life, and raised a family. However, once investigators uncovered his fraudulent background, he fled the country in November last year with his wife and one of his children, after selling his house and liquidating his assets. Investigators traced his extended family to Syria, where DNA samples taken from his cousins confirmed, via matching Y-chromosome profiles, that they shared a common male ancestor with the fugitive's children. This provided scientific validation of the familial ties and bolstered the case against him. Notably, such genetic evidence was previously not accepted in such cases, but a report from the State Security Department corroborated the findings of the Nationality Investigations Department, offering additional proof of identity fraud. Further digging revealed that his second brother had also acquired Kuwaiti citizenship under the 'noble deeds' clause in 1976, based on letters of recommendation describing him as a philanthropist. He too had worked in the oil sector and is now deceased. A handwritten statement found in his file confirmed that he and the first brother were siblings, both originating from the village of Al-Hasrat in Al-Bukamal, Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria. A third brother, also living in Kuwait, had applied for citizenship alongside his siblings in 1976 but was denied. He later applied again through a separate committee but remained stateless (Bedoun). The case against all three was solidified with documentary evidence, genetic testing, and the signed acknowledgment from the second brother that they were, indeed, brothers, confirming the fraudulent citizenship status of at least two of them. Authorities say the fugitive brother, who obtained citizenship via Article 1, has an estimated 50 dependents or followers, while the second brother, now deceased, had 77 followers. In a further twist, it was revealed that the son of the first forger (a high-ranking officer in the Kuwait military)had submitted a retirement request following the exposure of the case. That request was halted after it was discovered he had already left Kuwait and is believed to be in Britain. The investigation highlights the complexities and long-term consequences of fraudulent naturalization and may lead to broader reviews of past citizenship cases.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Johnson says he'd talk to Trump before moving to claw back constitutional power
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) says he would talk to President Trump before making any legislative move to claw back power if the president overstepped his constitutional authority. Johnson's comments came at an Axios event Wednesday during which reporter Hans Nichols started a line of questioning by saying Johnson had ceded a lot of constitutional authority to the president. 'I don't agree with that,' Johnson interjected. 'I'm a constitutional law attorney. I'm a jealous guardian of Article 1 power and the separation of powers and constitutional balance,' he said. 'Whomever is the president of whatever party, they do have a broad degree of latitude, for example, to deal with unfair trade partners and trade practices,' Johnson added, referring to tariff policy. The Speaker said he would step in if Trump overextended on his authority — but not without personally talking to the president first. 'If it gets close to where the imbalance is there, then we would step in,' Johnson said. 'But I think the first protocol, to be very frank, is I would call the president and talk with him about that and tell him our concerns.' Johnson's comments come as House Republicans have limited the ability of individual members, namely Democrats, to force votes on repealing Trump's sprawling tariffs. If there was consensus among House Republicans about Trump's tariffs, Johnson added, he would lead the House in taking action, but he said he does not expect that to be necessary. Johnson and Trump have a close relationship, with the Speaker noting Tuesday morning he had already talked to the president twice earlier in the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Iraq Business
28-04-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
EBRD Enables Expansion into Iraq
By John Lee. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has amended its statutes, enabling it to expand operations into sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq. According to a statement from the bank, this pivotal change redefines the Bank's geographic remit and follows approval by its Board of Governors in 2023. The amendment will formally take effect in three months. The move sets the stage for Iraq to become a full country of operation, alongside several sub-Saharan nations. Iraq, along with Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria, has already joined as a shareholder, while Senegal, Kenya, and Ghana are currently undergoing the membership process. Full statement from the EBRD: The shareholders of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have accepted an amendment to Article 1 of the Bank's statutes, enabling the expansion of its operations to selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq. Article 1 of the EBRD's statutes defines the Bank's purpose and its geographic remit for countries of operations. The Board of Governors approved this expansion in 2023 and the threshold of shareholder approval required for the amendment to Article 1 has now been met. The amendment will enter into force in three months' time. The announcement comes as the EBRD gears up for its 34th Annual Meeting, which will take place at the Bank's headquarters in Canary Wharf on 13-15 May 2025. The event - centred on the theme Expanding Horizons, Enduring Strengths - will mark the Annual Meeting's return to London for the first time since 2016. It will provide an opportunity for the Bank to emphasise its commitment to international cooperation and innovation as it enters a new phase in its history, advancing its unique business model to sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq and finalising its new Strategic and Capital Framework for the next five years. The EBRD has already welcomed Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Iraq as new shareholders, with Senegal, Kenya and Ghana currently undergoing the membership process. Once the countries become members, they must receive approval from the Board of Governors to become EBRD countries of operation. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said: "The modification of our Article 1 statute is a pivotal step towards the Bank's geographical expansion. It paves the way for our governors to grant recipient status to countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq, which will enable us to start operations in our first countries in the region." The EBRD currently has 75 national shareholders, in addition to the European Union and the European Investment Bank. The Bank supports countries in transition by using a combination of investment, advisory work and policy reform, with a focus on developing the private sector and bringing about sustainable change. (Source: EBRD)
Axios
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
"Deranged" Milwaukee judge's arrest a warning to others, Bondi says
Attorney General Pam Bondi promised on Friday prosecution for judiciary members who cross the Trump administration. Why it matters: It represents an escalation in the Trump administration's ongoing fight with courts. Driving the news: Bondi's threat comes on the heels of the FBI's Friday arrest of Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, on charges of obstruction of an immigration arrest operation. What they're saying: Bondi said that the Trump administration will target judges who oppose the president's growing immigration crackdown. "What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me," Bondi said. "The [judges] are deranged is all I can think of. I think some of these judges think that they are beyond and above the law. They are not, and we are sending a very strong message today ... if you are harboring a fugitive… we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you." Bondi alluded to the Trump administration's willingness to conflict with the Constitution. When Fox News anchor John Roberts said that critics might interpret such prosecutions as "expanding" the powers of Article 1 of the Constitution, Bondi said "nobody is above the law." "If you are destroying evidence, if you are obstructing justice… it will not be tolerated," Bondi said. The Vesting Clause of Article 1 establishes the separation of powers among the three branches of the federal government. The other side: Dugan's arrest shows that "Trump is going to use every weapon at his disposal to enforce his anti-immigrant agenda," Pace University Law Professor Bennett Gershman told Axios. It's a federal crime to obstruct or interfere with immigration officials making arrest, Gershman noted, so Dugan's indictment doesn't set a special precedent. But it does show that "invading courthouses, schools, probably even religious institutions as well to round up immigrants" is on the table. "It shows that immigrants who must appear in court to answer charges, even very minor ones, are sitting ducks for ICE agents, and it likely places many immigrants in a terrible choice between appearing in court, which they are legally required to do, and potentially getting arrested, or not appearing and facing new charges or bench warrant for failure to appear." What we're watching: ICE arrested a New Mexico judge and his wife on suspicion of hiding an alleged Venezuelan gang member in their house on Friday.
Arab Times
17-04-2025
- Arab Times
From Iraqi Tribal Leader To Kuwaiti Citizen: 164 Individuals Added To His Fraudulent File
KUWAIT CITY, April 17: What once seemed like an impenetrable web of forgery has now been fully exposed by Kuwait's determined and coordinated security forces. Through meticulous investigation and cooperation between the State Security Service, Military Intelligence, and the Nationality Investigation Department, a complex case of fraudulent citizenship dating back to 1965 has been brought to light, revealing an elaborate scheme that ultimately led to the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from 164 individuals. The story began in 1965 when a man applied for Kuwaiti citizenship under Article 1 of the nationality law, which allows citizenship for those whose fathers were in Kuwait before 1920. Based solely on the testimony of witnesses, the man claimed his father met the criteria. When questioned by the authorities at the time, he claimed that his father had passed away and that he had no siblings or paternal uncles. With no further verification, he was granted citizenship. The deception didn't stop there. In 1970, feeling secure in his false identity, the man brought one of his actual brothers to Kuwait and, once again with the help of witness testimonies, succeeded in having him naturalized under Article 1. He repeated this process in 1973, bringing in yet another brother who falsely claimed he had been living in the desert and now wanted to join his "Kuwaiti" brothers. Witnesses, including some members of the National Assembly at the time, attested to his story. The pattern continued until all six brothers were granted Kuwaiti citizenship based on a false ancestral claim. However, in 1982, the first and central figure in the scheme abruptly left Kuwait and returned to his homeland, the Anbar Governorate in Iraq. There, he resumed his life under his real identity as a tribal sheikh, remarried, and started a new family. He never returned to Kuwait. Investigators later discovered that he had been killed in Iraq approximately 15 years ago. Years later, the Nationality Investigation Department began re-examining old files and uncovered the depth of the fraud. They identified the man's real name, obtained his Iraqi death certificate, and tracked down his son from his Iraqi wife. DNA tests were conducted and compared to the brothers still living in Kuwait. The results confirmed their biological relationship and exposed the fraudulent claim of Kuwaiti ancestry. One key piece of evidence was an Iraqi passport that revealed his true identity and origin. Adding another layer to the investigation, officials discovered a document from 1992 written by a Kuwaiti liaison officer stationed at the Kuwaiti embassy in Abu Dhabi. It identified the original forger as an Iraqi national and a member of the Ba'ath Party. The document also confirmed that he had entered Kuwait with the Iraqi Popular Army during the 1990 invasion, despite officially having left Kuwait a decade earlier in 1982. Under the direction of Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti authorities coordinated with Iraqi officials to verify the man's background. Their efforts confirmed that the man had been born in Anbar, Iraq, and had never been eligible for Kuwaiti citizenship. As a result, the Supreme Committee decided to revoke the citizenship of the original forger, his five brothers, their dependents, and others who were granted nationality based on the same fraudulent file. In total, 164 people lost their Kuwaiti citizenship, including several wives who had obtained it under Article 8. In a final twist, it was revealed that one of the five brothers, who had himself obtained citizenship fraudulently, had also provided false testimony to support another individual's naturalization. That person's citizenship had already been revoked several months earlier in a related case. This case serves as one of the most complex and far-reaching examples of citizenship fraud in Kuwait's history, and a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated investigative efforts by the nation's security forces.
