DNA Test Reveals 164 Illegal Kuwaiti Citizenship Holders
In a major crackdown on illegal Kuwaiti citizenship, authorities have used DNA testing to unmask 164 individuals who fraudulently held Kuwaiti nationality. This marks another significant step in Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to combat nationality fraud and protect the country’s identity.
The case came to light following a tip-off to the Kuwaiti Nationality Investigation Department, which led to a thorough investigation into a Kuwaiti citizen who had been living with Kuwaiti citizenship for decades. The man, who legally acquired Kuwaiti nationality in the 1960s, was found to have committed serious forgery to grant citizenship to three of his brothers, who originally held citizenship in another Gulf country.
The man falsely registered the three brothers as his children to obtain Kuwaiti citizenship for them. However, investigations quickly revealed that the three brothers were not his biological children. Upon further scrutiny, authorities discovered even more fraudulent activity — one of the brothers had registered 43 individuals as his children, many of whom were not his biological offspring.
Following the investigation, a Kuwaiti supreme committee in charge of nationality verification decided to revoke the citizenship of the three brothers and everyone who had obtained it through them. In total, 164 people, including their children and grandchildren, lost their Kuwaiti nationality.
This case is part of a larger effort by the Kuwaiti government to address illegal citizenship claims. Just last week, a decision was made to revoke the citizenship of 3,043 individuals who were found to have obtained it through fraud or other violations. These cases are part of a broader crackdown on dual nationality, with authorities working to ensure that only eligible individuals hold Kuwaiti citizenship.
The Kuwaiti government’s commitment to safeguarding its national identity has intensified since March, with thousands of individuals losing their citizenship for reasons related to fraud or holding another nationality. The recent cases are being carefully reviewed, and the decisions will now be referred to the Council of Ministers for final approval.
With a population of approximately 4.9 million, Kuwait is home to a large number of expatriates, making the issue of nationality fraud a serious concern for the government. DNA testing has proven to be an essential tool in uncovering these fraudulent claims, allowing the authorities to identify and address illegal citizenship holders.
This ongoing effort underscores Kuwait’s dedication to ensuring that its national identity remains intact and that its citizenship laws are strictly enforced.