Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Kuwait has been investigating a plot to overthrow the royal family.

Officials said the Gulf Cooperation Council sheikdom launched a probe of former senior officials alleged to have plotted a coup against Emir Sabah Al Jaber Al Sabah.

The officials said a senior member of the royal family was already interrogated regarding the alleged plot.

“This is currently being handled by the public prosecution,” a statement by the royal court said on April 9.

The investigation has focused on a videotape in which former senior officials discussed the plot. The videotape was submitted to authorities by former Energy Minister Ahmed Fahd Al Sabah, who said the contents included “local, parliamentary, [royal] family and regional issues.”

Diplomatic sources said the royal family has been torn by a power struggle between its two major factions — Jaber and Salim. They said a faction within the royal family was accused of working with the Islamist opposition to destabilize Kuwait over the last five years.

The tape was said to show former Prime Minister Nasser Al Ahmed Al Sabah
as well as former parliamentary speaker Jassem Al Khorafi. Both Nasser and
Al Khorafi were said to have denied any link to the alleged plot.

In its statement, the royal court urged calm. The statement acknowledged
the videotape.

“[The royal court] appeals to all people to avoid debating the issue and
leave it to the public prosecution take the necessary measures,” the
statement said.

In contrast, parliamentarians have demanded an open investigation.
Several deputies said rumors of a coup plot had been swirling throughout the
sheikdom since December 2013.

“This poses a genuine danger to Kuwait,” parliamentarian Ali Al Rashed
said.

  Ahmed Fahd Al Sabah, Emir Sabah Al Jaber Al Sabah, Investigators interrogate Kuwaiti royal family member in probe of coup plot, Nasser Al Ahmed Al Sabah