Eighteen Egyptians from the Popular Current and the Constitution Party were deported from Kuwait Monday following three-day negotiations between the Egyptian Embassy and Kuwaiti authorities.
They boarded a Kuwaiti Airlines flight, taking off from the Kuwait International Airport for Egypt at 11:30 am.
Kuwaiti authorities arrested 19 Egyptians while holding a celebration on eve of the Islamic new year, claiming they were wearing garments with slogans of the Popular Current. One of them was then released for his young age.
Authorities claimed the celebration was held without legal permission.
Ambassador to Kuwait Abdel Karim Suleiman said all efforts exerted by the Egyptian Embassy, Foreign Ministry and even the presidency failed to convince the Kuwaiti side to step back from its decision.
Suleiman said some of the arrested were deported using a Kuwaiti travel document, not an Egyptian passport. He said the reason behind this procedure might have been to expedite their deportation.
Suleiman called on all Egyptians based in Kuwait to abide by domestic laws to avoid similar situations, adding that abiding by the law greatly helps the embassy perform its duties.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
