KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday sentenced 12 citizens over charges of supporting the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization. The court sentenced five citizens to 10 years in jail with labor while it abstained from punishing seven others provided they remain under relevant authorities' surveillance and show good conduct for two years. Notably, the case was uncovered when a citizen was arrested at Kuwait International Airport, who led the authorities to five other citizens in Iraq and Syria and seven others in Kuwait who had been funding IS and inviting others to join it.

Bedoons' visas

Responding to social media reports about suspending umrah visas for the holders of article 17 Kuwaiti passports issued to bedoons (stateless residents), official sources at the Saudi Embassy in Kuwait stressed that there was constant review of umrah visa regulations in order to provide pilgrims with the best services as well as ensure they returned to their home countries after performing umrah. "Accordingly, visa issuance has been temporarily suspended for some categories who had not been respecting umrah visa conditions," explained the sources, noting that once enough technical measures were taken to ensure that everybody respected visa conditions, visa issuance would resume. The sources also asked not to take these measures as against a certain category of people, as Saudi Arabia is keen on serving all worshippers within set regulations and rules.

Co-op dissolved

Well-informed sources at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) said that in view of a report made by the ministry's co-ops inspection committee on violations it committed, Minister Hind Al-Subaih is expected soon to approve a decision on dissolving Yarmouk Co-op's board of directors. The sources added that boards of Ahmadi, Abdullah Al-Salem and Mansouriya co-ops were also warned concerning some violations and given a grace period to rectify them before fresh sudden inspections are made.

Manpower Authority

The Civil Services Commission (CSC) approved appointing 500 employees at the Public Authority for Manpower to solve its staff shortage problem, said informed sources at the manpower authority. The sources added that in view of a lack of employees after ending the mission of over 400 employees, the authority had urged CSC to provide it with more employees as soon as possible. The source stressed that the authority was currently studying distributing the new employees to various departments according to their needs.

E-cigarettes

Customs inspectors at Nuwaiseeb land border exit arrested a citizen with 41 electronic cigarette packs, 24 flavor packs and a carton of e-cigarette batteries that he tried to smuggle into Kuwait. A case was filed and the suspect was referred to relevant authorities.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi