Kuwait’s top appeals court yesterday upheld former MP Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul’s sentence of seven years in prison and fine of Kuwaiti Dinar 2.7 million in a sensational human trafficking case.
Papul to serve seven years in Kuwait jail
Mohammad Shahid Islam, also known as Kazi Papul. Photo: Collected Diplomatic Correspondent Diplomatic Correspondent
Kuwait s Appeal Court yesterday extended the imprisonment of former Bangladeshi MP Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul and two Kuwaitis to seven years, from four, in a bribery case.
The others whose sentences were increased include Kuwait s interior ministry s Assistant Under-Secretary Maj Gen Mazen Al-Jarrah and former MP candidate Salah Khorshid, reported Kuwaiti newspaper, Al-Qabas yesterday.
The court, however, acquitted Kuwaiti MP Saadoun Hammad.
The court delivered the verdict following an appeal filed by Papul after Kuwait s criminal court on January 28 sentenced him to four years, around eight months after Kuwait s Criminal Investigation Department arrested him.
Kuwait court extends imprisonment of ex-MP Papul to 7 years
Mohammad Shahid Islam, also known as Kazi Papul. Photo: Collected Star Digital Report Star Digital Report
Kuwait s Appeal Court has extended the imprisonment of former Bangladeshi MP Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul and two Kuwaitis to seven years from four years.
The others whose imprisonment were also increased include Kuwait s interior ministry s Assistant Under-Secretary Maj Gen Mazen Al-Jarrah and former MP candidate Salah Khorshid, reported Kuwaiti newspaper, Al-Qabas.
The court, however, acquitted Kuwaiti MP Saadoun Hammad in its verdict delivered today.
Earlier on January 28, Kuwait s criminal court imprisoned for four years the former Bangladeshi MP, around eight months after Kuwait s Criminal Investigation Department arrested Papul, the managing director and CEO of Marafie Kuwaitia Group.
Thousands of poor Bangladeshi workers who faced physical, mental and financial exploitation over the years due to Kazi Papul s crimes have so far been denied justice.
Bangladeshi MP Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul had been sentenced to four years in jail and fined Tk 55 crore in a bribery case in Kuwait, some eight months after his arrest. Papul was also charged with allegations of human trafficking.
The conviction led to the cancellation of his membership in the Bangladeshi parliament. His victims, however, have not yet gotten any justice for the sufferings they had to endure because of Papul. He [Papul] is facing punishment for the crimes he committed, but I have not committed any crime. I have lost much time, money and peace of mind. Where is my justice? said Sheikh Farid, a victim of Papul s misdeeds.
Returning officers will examine the papers on March 19, and candidature cannot be withdrawn after March 24.
Electronic Voting Machines will be used in Laxmipur 2 by polls, 30 of the UPs and all of the municipalities.
On February 22, parliament secretariat issued a gazette notification announcing that the Laxmipur 2 constituency fell vacant because of Kazi Papul s moral turpitude.
The gazette has been in effect since January 28 when Papul was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment by a Kuwait court.
The criminal court delivered the verdict almost eight months after Kuwait s Criminal Investigation Department arrested Papul, the managing director and CEO of Marafie Kuwaitia Group.