MPs weigh in with Abdali cell queries

Consultative meeting Tuesday

KUWAIT CITY, July 30: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim said the MPs have been invited to a consultative meeting scheduled for Tuesday in the National Assembly Office to discuss the current situation in the country and the region, as well as the results of the emergency conference of the Arab Parliamentary Union in the capital of Morocco on supporting Palestinians and the recent incident in Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Al-Ghanim disclosed the agenda of the consultative meeting include the escape of Abdali cell convicts, public funds and other important issues.

He added a number of MPs have forwarded questions on these issues to the concerned ministers, so representatives of the government will also attend Tuesday’s meeting which will start at 12:30 pm.

Asked about the possibility of holding an emergency parliamentary session, Al-Ghanim clarified that he has yet to receive an official request in this regard; but he found out the contents of the

request through the media and social networking sites. He pointed out the request was not written properly as it was a call for a special session based on Article 72 of the parliamentary bylaw which is not applicable to an emergency session while the Parliament is in recess.

Meanwhile, MP Mohammed Hayef has submitted questions to Minister of Justice and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Faleh Al-Azab about the Abdali cell case.

He wants to know if there are current or former MPs linked with the cell, names of current or former MPs or public officials or their first and second degree relatives mentioned in investigations of the Public Prosecution or police on the case, their role in the cell, and measures taken against them.

Furthermore, MP Nayef Al-Mirdas asserted that maintaining national security is the responsibility of everyone. He urged all sectors in the Interior Ministry to intensify their efforts in order to speed up the arrest of the Abdali cell convicts who escaped and to hold accountable those who are hiding them and helped them escape.

In addition, MP Saleh Ashour asked Minister of Justice and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Faleh AlAzab about the steps taken regarding leakage of the excerpts of investigations on Abdali cell and the names of prosecutors who investigated the case. He also demanded for a copy of the leaked investigation excerpts and latest developments on the issue.