KUWAIT CITY, July 1: As per the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Defense Sheikh Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah and under the leadership of Interior Ministry Undersecretary Lieutenant General Sheikh Salem Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Ministry of Interior launched an intensive security campaign at dawn Monday covering many areas like Bneid Al-Gar, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mutlaa. This step was taken immediately after the grace period given to violators to leave the country or legalize their status. The amnesty started on March 14, 2024 and was extended until June 30, 2024. The ongoing campaign including Farwaniya and Jahra resulted in the arrest of more than 750 violators of different nationalities, most of whom have absconding cases and were referred to the competent authorities for deportation. Accordingly, the necessary legal measures were taken against them. They were referred to the competent authorities where procedures were completed and they are now scheduled for deportation.

In a press statement, the ministry disclosed: “In compliance with the directives of Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf to strictly implement the law on violators of the Residency Law who did not amend their status within the grace period granted to them, Sheikh Salem Nawaf supervised the launching of the security campaign in various governorates.” Also, present were Assistant Undersecretary for the Special Security Sector Major General Abdullah Saffah, senior security leaders, security directors and their assistants. They laid down a plan for each governorate before launching the campaign in the early hours of the morning on Monday, including the establishment of checkpoints along the public and internal roads to verify the residency documents of people. The Public Security, Rescue, Traffic and Special Forces patrols participated in the campaign. The ministry added that it is continuing its inspection campaigns in all governorates, calling on everyone to refrain from harboring violators in order to avoid legal problems and to cooperate with police officers in reporting violators through the emergency number 112.

Moreover, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf and Sheikh Salem Al-Nawaf issued directives to deal well with everyone during security campaigns, and to take into account the humanitarian aspect when arresting and deporting violators. The following will be deported immediately:
■ Those with expired residency,
■ Those with absconding cases,
■ Those working for other sponsors even if their residency is valid, because they violated the Labor Law.

In addition, Farwaniya Governorate recorded the highest number of violators arrested on the first day of the campaign -- more than 150 expatriates with absconding cases. It has been noted that the number of those arrested with absconding cases is higher than those with expired residency. The sponsor is absolved of responsibility for the violating expatriate in an absconding case, while he bears the cost of the ticket of the violating worker in other cases.

By Munif Naif
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff