Lawsuit filed by lawyer Al-Baghdadi demands transparency in debtor relief campaigns

In a landmark legal case, Kuwaiti lawyer Reem Al-Baghdadi has filed the first lawsuit of its kind, demanding full disclosure of the millions of dinars spent through national debtor relief campaigns. The case calls for clear public announcements detailing where the funds went and which entities or individuals received payments.

Al-Baghdadi, representing a citizen excluded from a recent campaign, stated that her client was surprised to find himself disqualified despite never having applied for or benefited from previous relief efforts, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to Al-Rai daily, upon investigation, it was discovered that a prior campaign had paid KD 10 on his behalf — without his knowledge — as a minor government fine, based on a request from the Ministry of Justice.

She noted that the payment of such a small amount effectively labeled him a past beneficiary, disqualifying him from further support. “This raises serious concerns,” she said, “as it appears the state launched a campaign to settle nominal fees for itself, while overlooking citizens burdened with more pressing and substantial debts.”

Al-Baghdadi questioned the fairness of the system, arguing that her client, who was capable of paying the small fine himself, never asked for such aid. She emphasized that the case highlights the need for transparency and fairness in how relief campaigns operate and allocate funds.

The lawsuit seeks to shed light on the mechanisms behind these campaigns, particularly the records of payments made, the criteria for aid distribution, and the actual beneficiaries. Al-Baghdadi affirmed that the ultimate goal is to ensure assistance reaches those truly in need, in a manner consistent with justice and accountability.