KUWAIT CITY, Oct 31: As authorities continue their rigorous review and auditing of citizenship files, a new forgery case involving approximately 70 individuals who hold Kuwaiti citizenship came to light. This group is reportedly linked to five Syrian nationals who were added to the files of three Kuwaiti citizens decades ago, some dating back to before the Iraqi invasion.
According to sources familiar with the case, suspicions were raised within the Nationality Investigations Department regarding the citizenship status of five Syrian individuals. Following extensive examinations and background checks, it was uncovered that these five individuals, including one woman, had been fraudulently added to the citizenship files of three deceased Kuwaiti citizens. This forgery has since extended to include the children and grandchildren of the Syrians, with the current number of those holding Kuwaiti citizenship unlawfully reaching approximately 70.
Sources detailed the complex nature of the forgery scheme. Initially, four siblings, one of whom is a woman, were found to have been entered into the nationality records of a Kuwaiti citizen in exchange for payment. Investigations further revealed that a fifth sibling, who had been in hiding, was also added to the citizenship file of another Kuwaiti national.
Another twist in the case emerged when it was discovered that the Syrian woman married a fellow Syrian, with whom she had three children. All were added to the citizenship file of a Kuwaiti citizen, acquiring Kuwaiti nationality through fraudulent means.
According to findings, two of these citizenship files were forged before the Iraqi invasion, while the third occurred afterward. With the original Kuwaiti citizens involved now deceased, the fraudulent additions have expanded across generations, encompassing children and grandchildren who continue to hold Kuwaiti citizenship.
The Nationality Investigations Department has referred these findings to the relevant authorities, who are preparing to take all necessary legal actions to address the case and resolve the citizenship discrepancies.