Kuwait detains 24 in 'terror financing' probe; five ex-lawmakers among those held, source says

Kuwait has detained 24 people as part of an investigation into the financing of terrorist entities, the interior ministry said late on Saturday, without identifying any group or country involved. A security source told AFP that five former Kuwaiti lawmakers are among those held.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said authorities had “thwarted a plot targeting the undermining of the homeland’s security and the financing of terrorist entities and organisations.” It added that the State Security Agency “succeeded in apprehending 24 citizens, one of whom had his citizenship revoked, in possession of financial sums linked to illicit activities.” According to the ministry, the financing was part of an organised activity involving the collection of funds under religious pretexts, in preparation for their transfer “in accordance with instructions from outside the country.” The statement did not provide names or further details on the alleged network.

The arrests follow earlier actions by Kuwaiti authorities. In March, Kuwait arrested six people linked to Lebanon’s Iran‑backed Hezbollah who it said were planning “assassinations” in the Gulf state. Hezbollah has repeatedly denied having any presence in Kuwait.

Authorities across the region have moved against individuals and organisations suspected of links to or supporting Tehran in recent weeks. Kuwait’s interior ministry has not disclosed additional information about the latest detentions or the sums seized, and no charges were announced in the statement.