Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has termed the imprisonment of Laxmipur MP Shahid Islam Papul in Kuwait for human trafficking as sad and shameful for Bangladesh. He made the remarks in response to a question from reporters on Saturday, two days after Papul's sentencing. He was speaking to reporters after the inaugural function of the first Bangabandhu Diplomatic Tennis Tournament at the state guest house Meghna on Saturday evening.
It is very sad. We are ashamed if the citizens of the country are involved in crime abroad. It's a shame for each of us. However, the Kuwaiti government has not yet officially commented on the verdict. I have heard that he has been tried through newspapers. Our Ambassador has been asked to hear the official statement of the Government of Kuwait. If the state knows then the next step will be taken. However, the punishment of Papul will not erode the relationship with Kuwait, Momen said, our relationship with Kuwait is very solid and old. A good relationship since the time of Bangabandhu.
In this one case, there will be no shortage of us. Papul, who went to Kuwait as an ordinary worker and owned a huge fortune, was elected a Member of Parliament in 2018 as an independent candidate. He also brought his wife Selina Islam as a Member of Parliament in the reserved seat. Papul, an MP from Laxmipur-2 constituency, was arrested on the night of June 6 last year from Musharraf area of Kuwait. Papul, one of the owners of the Marafi Kuwait Company, has a residence permit.
The Kuwaiti prosecution charged Papul with human trafficking, money laundering and exploitation of business workers on the basis of allegations of trafficking by five Bangladeshis. Their investigation brought charges of money laundering, human trafficking, bribery and breach of state security against nine people, including Papul. The formal trial in Papul's case began on September 17 last year with the formation of charges.
