The Cabinet has revoked the citizenship of six foreign investors and 22 of their family members, all of whom obtained Cypriot nationality through the contentious golden passport scheme. This decision was made on Thursday, following a pattern of citizenship revocations that has intensified since the current administration took office in March 2023.
- The Cabinet's actions stem from evidence indicating that legal requirements for citizenship had not been met. This includes cases where individuals faced sanctions or were wanted by authorities.
- The current government's actions reflect a broader commitment to addressing the legacy of the programme and ensuring that all citizenship grants meet stringent legal standards.
Last week, the Cabinet also stripped citizenship from 26 individuals, including seven investors and 19 family members, as part of an ongoing effort to address irregularities tied to the Cyprus Investment Programme.
Recent Actions Against Golden Passport Holders
According to official data, the government has now made 41 decisions to revoke Cypriot citizenship, impacting a total of 150 individuals, consisting of 41 investors and 109 family members. The revocation process has been completed for five investors and 10 family members, who have had their citizenship documents cancelled.
The Cabinet’s actions stem from evidence indicating that legal requirements for citizenship had not been met. This includes cases where individuals faced sanctions or were wanted by authorities.
Future Revocations Planned
In addition to the recent revocations, the Cabinet announced plans to issue citizenship deprivation orders for an additional 69 people, comprising 17 investors and 52 family members, whose cases had been initially decided upon between 2021 and 2023.
Longstanding Issues with the Citizenship Programme
Since 2021, a total of 360 individuals have had their citizenship revoked, including 101 investors and 259 family members who gained nationality through the Cyprus Investment Programme. Of these cases, 112 have been completed, resulting in issued citizenship deprivation orders.
The process for revocation requires that affected individuals receive written notification before orders are enacted, informing them of their right to appeal to the Independent Committee for Examination of Citizenship Deprivation. This committee plays a crucial role, advising the Cabinet on citizenship matters based on majority decisions.
The Cyprus Investment Programme’s Controversial Legacy
The Cyprus Investment Programme, which allowed wealthy foreign investors to acquire citizenship in exchange for property investments, was suspended in 2020 following a series of corruption scandals. The scheme had attracted significant foreign investment but also raised concerns about transparency and legality.
The current government’s actions reflect a broader commitment to addressing the legacy of the programme and ensuring that all citizenship grants meet stringent legal standards.
