Kuwait’s Interior Ministry arrests 12 beggars, 15 illegal street vendors

Following the directives of the Acting Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, to combat negative phenomena, and as part of ongoing security efforts to curb the rise of begging during Ramadan, the Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Department of Protection of Public Morals and Combating Trafficking in Persons, successfully arrested 11 beggars of Arab and Asian nationalities. These individuals were caught soliciting in front of mosques and markets. Additionally, 15 street vendors were apprehended for illegal selling activities.

Investigations revealed that some of the arrested individuals had entered the country on visit visas or as dependents, while others arrived under the category of “bulk labor” without fixed jobs. Legal action is being taken against the companies that facilitated their recruitment through unlawful means.

The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who exploits children for begging to manipulate public sympathy. Offenders will face charges of “child exploitation” will be deported, and held accountable. Additionally, the authorities will take measures against those responsible for them, including closing the files of violating companies.

Regarding reporting begging instances, the Ministry of Interior urges the public to report any such cases immediately through the following numbers:

• 25582581
• 97288200
• 97288211

Or begging instances can also be reported on the Emergency Hotline No: 112, which operate 24/7 to receive reports.

Source: Al Jarida