KUWAIT: The interior ministry said on Monday that detectives of the residency affairs department have arrested 21,190 illegal expats since the start of this year, and all of them have been deported. About 12,000 other expats have legalized their stay in the country after paying the required fines in accordance with legal procedures, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said that this came as part of a campaign by authorities to crack down on expats living illegally in the country and employers who sell residency permits.

Slightly over 70,000 illegal expats have either legalized their stay in the country after paying fines or left the country without paying any fines during an amnesty offered by the interior ministry between March 17 and the end of June. The ministry has been launching campaigns against illegal expats and arrested hundreds of illegals following the amnesty period.

The ministry said detectives have uncovered dozens of cases of employers offering residency permits against money. The statement added 59 felonies were registered following search, investigation and inspection of fake companies, as well as some 506 misdemeanor cases.

Meanwhile, Kuwait has strengthened its legal framework against torture with new amendments to the penal code, reflecting its commitment to international human rights agreements. Minister of Justice and Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Mohammed Al-Wasmi announced the legislative changes under decree law no. 39 of 2024.

The amendment replaces article 53 of law no. 31 of 1970, which modifies certain provisions of the penal code no. 16 of 1960. The new law imposes stricter penalties for torture used to extract confessions.

In addition to a prison sentence of up to five years, the financial penalty has been raised significantly — from a previous maximum of KD 500 to a range between KD 1,000 and KD 5,000.

A key addition in the legislation holds officials accountable if they approve, witness or remain silent about acts of torture, provided they had the authority to intervene. Furthermore, the penalty will be increased if the act is committed based on any form of discrimination, irrespective of its nature or cause.

The ministry of justice collaborated closely with the ministry of foreign affairs to draft the amendments, reflecting Kuwait’s dedication to aligning national legislation with the UN Convention against Torture and other human rights agreements. “This legislative effort promotes human rights, basic freedoms and human dignity in line with Kuwait’s constitution,” Wasmi emphasized.

Separately, the court of appeals on Monday reduced a four-year jail term against former National Assembly elections candidate Musaed Al-Qraifa to two years and then suspended its implementation for three years against pledging good conduct. Qraifa was arrested late April and sent to court on charges of undermining the authority of HH the Amir and abusing the interior minister during an election campaign ahead of the April 4 general polls.

He was sentenced by the criminal court to four years in jail. The appeals court on Sept 30 decided to free him on bail and set Oct 21 as the date to issue its verdict. Now, the case goes to the cassation court, the country’s top court whose rulings are final.