Kuwait cracks down on citizenship fraud as Interior Minister warns of political fallout
Nationality forgery undermines trust, fuels blackmail in political life; firm enforcement of new citizenship law to protect identity and restore rule of law -- Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef
Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, has underscored the urgency of enforcing the country’s new nationality law, describing it as essential to safeguard national identity and preserve the demographic balance.
In a press statement, Al-Yousef said the government would implement the law with firmness and transparency to ensure that citizenship rights are protected within clear legal frameworks. He stressed that addressing long-standing irregularities in the citizenship file has become a national priority, reports Al-Rai daily.
The minister warned that manipulation and forgery in nationality records have extended beyond administrative violations, impacting Kuwait’s political landscape and public discourse.
He noted a decline in constructive dialogue, replaced by what he described as political blackmail and the pursuit of narrow personal and factional interests at the expense of the nation.
Al-Yousef revealed that the use of advanced technology has helped uncover numerous cases of fraud and forgery within citizenship records.
Among the violations identified were the presence of fictitious names in official files, as well as cases where members of the same family held different nationalities despite living under one roof.
He also pointed to irregularities involving individuals obtaining citizenship after long periods through improper means, including the exploitation of connections.
The minister raised concerns over serious breaches involving public officials, citing cases where individuals holding sensitive positions, including members of the National Assembly, were allegedly linked to forged citizenship records or had concealed such violations within their families.
In more alarming examples, Al-Yousef referred to instances where individuals serving in the judiciary were found to have falsified their nationality, as well as cases involving deceased persons whose records remained active and were used to add new beneficiaries.
The minister questioned the acceptability of such practices within society, emphasizing that they undermine public trust and the integrity of state institutions.
He reiterated that the government is committed to addressing these violations decisively as part of broader efforts to reinforce the rule of law and protect Kuwait’s national identity.
