KUWAIT CITY, July 23: The Security Affairs General Department in the Interior Ministry has uncovered two bogus domestic labor offices, which are cheating Kuwaitis and expatriates as they provide shelter to absconding domestic workers and provide them jobs under other sponsors — acts that contravene the laws of Kuwait.

In a press statement, the Public Relations and Security Media Department in the ministry disclosed the illegal operations of the two offices were discovered after the officers acted on a tip-off.

This led to the arrest of seven Ethiopian women and nine Asians found to have violated the Residency Law. Some of them were reported absconding by their employers and others are wanted by law for committing various criminal acts. All of them were referred to the relevant security department.

Blogger jailed: The Criminal Court Sunday sentenced to three years in prison the person behind the Twitter account “Control 90” who is accused of running accounts to post remarks deemed offensive to state symbols.

The tweeter was apprehended for blackmailing girls and Qatari officials based on complaints to Anti-Cyber Crime Unit. Armed with arrest warrant from the Public Prosecution, officials from the State Security Agency raided his house and found several electronic devices, in addition to the computer used in abusing state symbols.

The accused had no way but to confess his actions, and mentioned who was sponsoring him. He was referred to Public Prosecution for further investigation.

Nepalese drowns: A Nepalese drowned in the sea opposite Mahboula and his remains were referred to the Forensics Department.

Securitymen and paramedics rushed to the location after the Operations Unit in the Interior Ministry received information on the incident. However, the Nepalese was already dead when they arrived at the scene.

A case was registered and investigations are ongoing to establish circumstances leading to the death of the Nepalese.

Meanwhile, a Filipina died of suffocation when she was trapped inside the lift of a building in Salmiya.

Security officers and medical emergency workers rushed to the location upon receiving information about the incident. The rescuers broke the door of the lift on the fourth floor of the building but the woman was already dead.

The woman’s body was referred to the Forensics Department and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to her death.

Games people play!: Ministry of Commerce and Industry uncovered several irregularities at the new fruits and vegetable market in Sulaibiya, and teams of inspectors have since been surveying the location to take necessary legal action against the violators, reports Al-Anba daily.

The daily quoting a source said prices of one or two products have been increased due to the exceptionally high temperature recorded in the producing country, while prices of other products remain stable.

He noted some traders refuse to bring fruits and vegetables from the Customs directorate with the aim of reducing supply, which will lead to skyrocketing prices when demand for such products increases. He stressed inspectors from the ministry will issue violations against such traders in coordination with Kuwait Municipality.

The source called upon citizens and expatriates to communicate with Ministry of Commerce and Industry via hotline 135 to report any violation. He also said members of the general public may file complaints at the office of the ministry located in Sulaibiya Market.

No injuries in fire: Fire broke out in a restaurant in Salmiya area. No casualties were registered, reports Al-Qabas daily.

According to security sources, when the Operations Room of Ministry of Interior received information about the restaurant on fire, firefighters rushed to the location, evacuated the customers and workers from the restaurant and extinguished the fire before it spread further.

Reportedly, the negligence of a restaurant worker in the kitchen was the reason behind the fire.

By Munaif Nayef/Jaber Al-Hamoud

Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies