ACC to probe trafficking allegations against MP Shahid: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Sunday that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will be asked to start an investigation on lawmaker Kazi Shahid Islam over allegations of money laundering and human trafficking. 

The minister made the statement when reporters asked him about the recent media reports that claimed Shahid has been involved in a human trafficking racket in Kuwait. 

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior claimed to have arrested an unidentified Bangladeshi in this connection, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The report said that the arrested suspect is a member of a three-man gang, and that the other two fled Kuwait soon after sensing trouble.

The daily has learned the trio occupied sensitive positions in three major companies, and were responsible for bringing in 20,000 Bangladeshi menial workers to Kuwait by taking as much as Tk 1,400 crores from them.

One of the three is Kazi Shahid Islam, a member in the Bangladeshi Parliament. The Al-Qabas report said that he fled Kuwait as soon as he learned he would be investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department. 

However, foreign affairs Minister A K Abdul Momen rejected the media reports and said it was "fake news". 

He made the claims during a meeting at the ministry on Sunday, and added that they have no information on this issue.