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Kuwait Times, Monday, Aug 24, 2020 | Muharram 5, 1442

Deputy Amir: Those guilty of security leaks will be punished

Kuwait: The Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah warned yesterday that all those involved in the security leaks issue will be punished and called on all to stop circulating the “harmful material” that undermines Kuwait’s unity and security. In a speech to the nation, Sheikh Nawaf described what is happening as an act of “chaos” that undermines the foundations of the country, adding that the recent leaks are “abnormal” acts that are totally rejected.

Sheikh Nawaf delivered his speech after meeting earlier yesterday with the prime minister, speaker of the National Assembly and the interior minister. The issue revolves around a video showing senior officials plotting to tap social media accounts of certain people. The video, recorded in 2018, was specifically focused on people linked to the Malaysian sovereign fund scandal, which is currently under investigation in Kuwait.

Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh immediately suspended the state security agency chief and seven officers pending interrogations. He also referred the entire issue to the public prosecution for criminal investigations. The interior minister also ordered an investigation by the interior ministry and gave the investigation panel just 48 hours to submit its report.

HH Sheikh Nawaf warned in his speech that no one is above the law including ruling family members, adding any member of the ruling family found guilty will be held to account. He said that the entire leaks issue has been sent to the judiciary for a fair investigation and that the matter is receiving his personal attention. He also called on the public to stop circulating the leaked material, cautioning that the leaks are an attempt by some to create divisions in the society.

“This requires everyone to stop the spread of such harmful material, which only the enemies of the nation will benefit from, and those who seek to achieve their own interests and goals at the expense of our national security,” he said. HH the Amir had himself repeatedly warned of the “deviating nature” of some social media reports, HH Sheikh Nawaf said, indicating to their “demolishing and sabotaging” effects on the structure of the Kuwaiti society.

This information may be slanderous and “stir up strife, spread frustration and pessimism and launch accusations without any evidence,” he underlined. “We will not allow a misguided few to drag our country into a state of division and chaos in the name of false freedom,” Sheikh Nawaf warned.

The issue came to the limelight following a grilling of the interior minister by leading opposition MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, who immediately called on the interior minister to resign. MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari said the leaks will add further legal burdens on the Kuwaiti government, as it can now be accused of not only failing to inform about the Malaysian fund crime, but also attempting to provide a cover-up for the crime.

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