Latest news with #NationalityDepartment
Arab Times
03-07-2025
- Arab Times
Decades-Old Citizenship Fraud Exposed: Two Iraqis Illegally Registered As Kuwaitis
KUWAIT CITY, July 3: In a dramatic breakthrough to a case dating back more than four decades, Kuwait's Nationality Investigation Department has uncovered a major citizenship fraud involving two Iraqi nationals who were illegally registered as Kuwaiti citizens. The revelation follows a renewed investigation into a case long considered closed due to a lack of evidence and technological limitations at the time. A Suspicious Addition to a Kuwaiti Citizen's File The investigation was triggered by reports concerning two individuals (whose names have been withheld), suspected of having been fraudulently added to the nationality file of a Kuwaiti citizen. Official records show that both men were born in 1950 to different mothers. Their father, a naturalized Kuwaiti citizen, obtained his citizenship in 1965 but did not include either of them in his nationality file at the time. Instead, he registered other, younger children. Delayed Request Raises Red Flags In 1980, 15 years after acquiring Kuwaiti citizenship, the same father submitted a request to the Ministry of Interior's Nationality Department to include the two 30-year-old men in his citizenship file. At the time, the request raised suspicions due to the unusual delay and the ages of the sons involved. Suleiman Al-Mishaan, then Assistant Undersecretary for Nationality Affairs, referred the case for investigation. However, due to the lack of advanced forensic and documentation tools, the probe was inconclusive, and the case was closed with no criminal findings. The two individuals were subsequently granted Kuwaiti citizenship and officially registered in the national records. Modern Investigation Uncovers the Truth Years later, the Nationality Investigation Department reopened the case after receiving new intelligence. A thorough review of the files revealed several red flags, including the absence of any legal marriage documentation between the alleged father and the mothers of the two men. Given that the father had since passed away, investigators summoned his known children for genetic testing. DNA analysis ultimately exposed the truth: the supposed paternal link between the deceased and the two men was false. Furthermore, DNA testing of the alleged descendants showed that their so-called uncles were not biologically related to them. Implications for National Security The investigation took a further alarming turn when it was discovered that one of the sons of the fraudulent individuals had risen to a senior rank in the Kuwaiti military and was even under consideration for a high-level leadership role. A Widening Web of Fraud Authorities revealed that the two individuals at the center of the case were in fact Iraqi nationals. Their addition to the Kuwaiti nationality file was based on false claims of parentage, and in a startling revelation, investigators noted that the alleged father was only 14 years older than the two men—a clear indication of the fabrication. Further examination of the fraudulent nationality records linked to these two individuals suggests that as many as 110 people may have benefited from this scheme through extended family registration. The case has now been handed over to the relevant legal authorities for prosecution and corrective measures. Officials have vowed to review all related files and tighten controls to prevent similar abuses in the future.
Arab Times
09-06-2025
- Arab Times
4,520 Article 8 passports delivered, issuance continues through Eid holiday: MoI
KUWAIT CITY, June 9: The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that 4,520 Article 8 passports have been delivered to Kuwaiti wives whose nationality was revoked. The ministry confirmed that the Directorate-General of Nationality and Travel Documents will continue issuing and delivering ready passports throughout the Eid Al-Adha holiday. In a statement, the ministry noted that 3,210 passports are currently ready for collection, and recipients have been notified via the "Sahel" application. These are part of a total of 7,730 Article 8 passports issued. Work teams at the Nationality Department are operating daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the official holiday to ensure uninterrupted service. The ministry urged concerned individuals to monitor the "Sahel" application for notifications and to visit the Directorate-General of Nationality and Travel Documents to collect their passports.
Gulf Insider
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Approves Use Of DNA And Biometrics Testing In Citizenship Decisions
The Kuwaiti government has issued a new ministerial resolution authorising the use of advanced scientific methods—including DNA and biometric analysis — in decisions related to the granting, revocation, confirmation, or withdrawal of Kuwaiti citizenship. Ministerial Resolution No. 678 of 2025, issued by Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, outlines a regulatory framework aimed at enhancing the accuracy and integrity of citizenship procedures through modern technology. According to local media, the resolution includes the following key provisions: Scientific verification tools: The use of DNA testing and biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans will be permitted to determine eligibility for Kuwaiti nationality. The use of DNA testing and biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans will be permitted to determine eligibility for Kuwaiti nationality. Mandatory testing : Individuals under review will be required to undergo genetic and biometric testing at centres designated and certified by the Ministry of Interior. Individuals under review will be required to undergo genetic and biometric testing at centres designated and certified by the Ministry of Interior. Data confidentiality : All personal and genetic data must be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The testing process must be meticulously documented at each stage. All personal and genetic data must be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The testing process must be meticulously documented at each stage. Legal safeguards: Tests must be conducted by qualified professionals who have no personal or familial relationship with the individual concerned. Results will be assessed jointly by the General Department of Criminal Evidence and the Nationality Department, and final recommendations will be submitted to the Supreme Committee for Nationality Tests must be conducted by qualified professionals who have no personal or familial relationship with the individual concerned. Results will be assessed jointly by the General Department of Criminal Evidence and the Nationality Department, and final recommendations will be submitted to the Supreme Committee for Nationality Permissible biological samples: DNA samples may be collected from a variety of sources, including blood, saliva, hair, bone, and urine, among others. DNA samples may be collected from a variety of sources, including blood, saliva, hair, bone, and urine, among others. Oversight and supervision:The Ministry of Interior is authorised to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other relevant bodies to ensure the implementation of proper procedures and scientific integrity. The resolution will come into effect upon its publication in the official gazette. Officials say the move reflects Kuwait's commitment to transparency, accuracy, and legal due process in matters of national identity.
