KUWAIT CITY, Dec 18: Former MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Khalid Al-Tahous, Jama’an Al-Harbash and Waleed Al-Tabtabaie appeared before the Public Prosecution to defend their roles in the alleged storming of the National Assembly at the so-called “Dark Wednesday” rally.

Speaking to the press before entering into the Public Prosecution premises, Musallam Al-Barrak said their appearance signified honor, just like other citizens who realized the Constitution and democracy were in danger, had also felt. He stated that some former lawmakers brought up some elements to exaggerate their strong stance against those involved in the suspicious multimillion deposits. “We are defending our honorable position with pride in front of camera today, while others bury their heads in shame or hide inside tainted cars. Kuwaitis stood firm with honor at the Erada Square to make a legitimate demand, at a time when many people remained silent over the deposits scandal. The presence of those citizens here today attests to this fact,” Al-Barrak observed.

In his reaction, Dr Al-Harbash declared he was not disturbed by his appearance at the Public Prosecution over the issue, saying everybody wishes to share a similar experience with noble citizens. He explained that storming of the National Assembly happened because of series of attacks by security operatives against them. He continued, “I commend His Highness the Amir for using his wisdom to sack the cabinet and dissolve the National Assembly. Those institutions destroyed the system of administration in the country, and citizens have ample opportunity to choose the right representatives”.
According to Al-Tahous, he was elated and proud to appear before the Public Prosecution. He said his entry into the National Assembly was a clear message of victory for the Constitution and national dignity. He referred to the Public Prosecution as the last resort for security, so the accused persons were entering with their heads up, declaring that the fall of the former Cabinet and parliament was victory for the truth. He added, “We spent two years calling for the removal of the Cabinet and dissolution of the parliament to enable citizens make better choices. We enter the Public Prosecution during the day, as against certain lawmakers who entered the place at night”, he indicated.

The MPs have been charged for storming the parliament, inciting mob to damage public property and holding unauthorized street rallies.

Sources expect the former MPs to be released on bail after interrogation, just like their colleagues that had been interrogated in the multimillion dinars deposits scandal.

Sources disclosed that Al-Tabtabaei was arrested by security authorities at the airport while returning from Tunisia and taken to Criminal Investigations Department. He was later referred to the Public Prosecution.

Sources added that Al-Tabtabaei was among four former MPs the Public Prosecution had earlier issued an arrest warrant against, on the storming of the Parliament.

Sources also disclosed that Salem Al-Namlan was arrested at the Nuwaiseeb boarder exit and referred to the Criminal Investigation Department while returning from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Muslim is also said to have been arrested at the airport and referred to the Prosecution, while Al-Sawagh was arrested at the airport on his arrival from Saudi Arabia and referred to the Criminal Investigations Department. Al-Wala’an had earlier been arrested and released by the security authorities, and he is expected to appear before prosecution on Monday. 

The sources said MPs Jama’an al-Harbash, Al-Barrak, and Tahous voluntarily appeared before the Public Prosecution to face interrogation.

Al-Tabtabaei had earlier stated “it’s an honor to be tried in this case, as we had only performed a political activity against a corrupt government and bribe-taking parliament”. He noted the storming of the parliament was blown out of proportion in order to achieve certain goals, “but everything is clear to everyone now,” he said.

Reacting to the development, Mubarak Al-Wala’an said they were honored to stand before the Public Prosecution on charges of storming the parliament because they have nothing to hide”. He added their interrogation is likened to a medal on their chest that adds to their prestige, unlike those who had entered the Public Prosecution on charges of money laundering.

In other developments, former MP Dr Faisal al-Muslim has called on  His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and all candidates contesting to represent their constituencies in the 14th Legislative Term  to adopt political reform that had earlier been put forward by the Development and Reform Bloc, which includes  constitutional amendment and approval of legislation to avoid clashes between the Executive and Legislative authorities  and prevent  an explosion of any future political crises similar to previous ones. He stressed that declining to adopt this scheme will lead to political crisis and the nation will be brought to square-one, while reform movement will only change names and the same approach will be repeated.

In a statement at the social networking page “Twitter”, Dr Al-Muslim pointed out that many political movements, in the last three years, agreed to raise the slogan of youth movements and the parliamentary blocs “a new government with new Prime Minister and a new approach” However, following the resignation of the government and the appointment of Sheikh Jabber Al-Mubarak as Prime Minister and  dissolution of the Parliament, the most important demand of the opposition in the slogan has yet to be seen.

For the executive and legislative authorities to be able to carry out their duties properly and fulfill the interests of the nation, citizens and the ruling family, the two authorities must adopt a comprehensive political reform to strengthen the existing historic constitutional arrangement to complete the building of a state of institutions, he stressed.  He added, “Perhaps it will be appropriate to put across the initiative of the Development and Reform Bloc that calls for enacting laws and constitutional amendment”.
He stressed that Kuwait, as a state of institutions must ask the next  parliament to enact laws to make political organizations national and approve the single constituency system, amend the election law,  establish an independent judiciary, of anti-corruption authority, approval of asset declaration law,  and exclusion of the Investigation Department and Criminal Evidences Department from government control.
Al-Muslim noted that “despite the varying support for constitutional amendment, there are demands that enjoy popular and national support and that include limiting the membership of the parliament to elected MPs, while the government should obtain the confidence of Parliament immediately after its formation, use similar procedures in questioning the Prime Minister and other ministers, in addition to making it valid to hold parliamentary sessions in the absence of the government.

Al- Muslim reiterated there will be no change in the manner of running the country and conflict among the authorities will return to disrupt development, if the reform scheme is not adopted.

Meanwhile, in other reports, former MPs Namlan, Sawagh and Al-Muslim have been released after signing an undertaking to appear before the Public Prosecution Monday, while Salwa Al-Mutairi announces her intention to run in the next parliamentary election from the Fourth Constituency.