KUWAIT CITY, March 6:  The Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday the arrest of 11 beggars, including eight women and three men, of Arab and Asian nationalities, who were found begging in front of mosques and markets.

The General Department of Security Relations and Media at the Ministry of Interior issued a statement saying that the arrests were made following instructions from Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, in an effort to combat negative phenomena in the country.

The statement revealed that some of the arrested individuals had entered the country on visit visas or family residency permits, while others had come under the guise of "loose labor" without securing permanent jobs. The Ministry emphasized that legal actions are being taken against companies that facilitated their illegal recruitment.

The Ministry also highlighted its firm stance against this issue, stating that all violators will be deported according to the type of residence. Those under Article (22) or family residency will be deported along with their sponsor. Individuals holding Article (18) residency, or working in the private sector, will be deported, and the sponsoring company’s file will be closed. Domestic workers holding Article (20) residency will also be deported, and the sponsor will be banned from issuing future guarantees or visas.

Furthermore, the Ministry expressed its commitment to taking legal action against those who exploit children for begging, with a case of "exploitation of minors" being filed against offenders.

The Ministry also plans to monitor cases of electronic begging on social media, in coordination with the Department of Combating Cybercrime, to ensure legal measures are taken against those involved.

The Ministry of Interior urged the public to report any instances of begging by calling the following numbers: 97288211, 97288200, 25582581, or the emergency hotline at 112, which operates around the clock.