KUWAIT CITY, Feb 17:  The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that the General Department of Residency Affairs Investigations, through the Search and Investigation Department, successfully arrested a Kuwaiti citizen, a Chinese national, and two Egyptian nationals. They are accused of human trafficking, specifically facilitating the acquisition of residency in exchange for money.

According to a ministry statement, the arrest is part of ongoing security efforts by the Ministry of Interior to combat human trafficking, in line with the directives of the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.

The statement explained that investigations revealed the involvement of these individuals in bringing foreign workers under the sponsorship of Kuwaiti citizens for payments ranging between 500 and 1,200 Kuwaiti dinars per transaction. The search and investigation led to the discovery of 20 companies with more than 232 workers registered.

As a result of the investigation, the accused were arrested, and all necessary legal procedures are being taken. They will be referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, especially after the implementation of the new residency law. The law imposes prison sentences of three to five years and fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars. The fine is multiplied based on the number of violators, and penalties are doubled if a public employee is involved, especially if they exploit their position to commit the crime.