4,000+ Stripped of Kuwaiti Citizenship in Weeks
Kuwaiti authorities are facing a surge of reports regarding individuals who allegedly obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through fraudulent means or who hold dual nationality, which is banned by Kuwaiti law. According to reports from Almajilis, the national committee responsible for verifying citizenship claims has received a staggering 7,125 reports via a designated hotline, with some found to be "malicious."
In response to growing concerns over citizenship fraud, the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry established a hotline to encourage citizens to report individuals with forged citizenship or those holding dual nationality. The ministry has assured the public that all whistleblowers will be granted full anonymity during investigations.
Thousands Affected by Revocation of Citizenship
Since March, Kuwait has been actively revoking citizenship from individuals suspected of fraud or holding another nationality. Just last week, the ad-hoc committee decided to strip 1,647 citizens of their Kuwaiti nationality. This brings the total number of people affected by the citizenship revocation to 4,601 within just three weeks, according to the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai. These cases are now being referred to the Council of Ministers for final approval.
Uncovering Fraudulent Citizenship Cases
In recent weeks, Kuwaiti media have reported several cases where foreigners illegally obtained Kuwaiti citizenship. Some of these individuals are now facing legal action, with some being sentenced to prison. For instance, a Kuwaiti court recently sentenced three Gulf nationals to 10 years in prison each for forging Kuwaiti citizenship and illegally collecting government salaries and perks amounting to KD500,000 (about $1.6 million). The court also ordered the defendants to repay KD1 million to the state.
Kuwait's Efforts to Protect National Identity
Kuwait, a small Gulf nation with a population of around 4.9 million people- mostly expatriates - has launched a strong crackdown on dual nationality and citizenship fraud. The government aims to protect the national identity and ensure that only those who meet the legal criteria hold Kuwaiti citizenship.
The recent actions highlight Kuwait's commitment to tackling citizenship fraud and upholding the integrity of its nationality laws. With ongoing investigations and stricter regulations, the country is sending a clear message: illegal citizenship claims will not be tolerated.