Undercover reporters have uncovered a two-track program for obtaining Cypriot citizenship through investment, as applicants with problems pay more money.
The investigation is leading to the highest offices of the Cypriot state, where they are presented with a plan to bypass the laws.
The program team was able to uncover the involvement of politicians and senior businessmen in facilitating the acquisition of a European passport for criminals, by taking advantage of the investment for citizenship program, which allows anyone to invest 2.5 million dollars and obtain a Cypriot passport.
The island's investigations unit had uncovered classified papers - called "Cyprus Papers" - proving that nearly 2,500 people had bought Cypriot passports, most of them were criminals fleeing justice.
Among those involved in these operations were Parliament Speaker Demetris Siloris and Member of Parliament Christakis Giovanni who owns one of the largest real estate development companies in the country.
Incognito
To be able to penetrate into the secrets of the passport sale through investment, the journalist posed as a Chinese businessman fleeing justice borrowed the name "Bailey", and was accompanied by his assistant, who called herself "Angie".
Despite Bailey’s statement that he was a prison escape, he was able to communicate with all political figures that would facilitate his obtaining a Cypriot passport, and they all assured him that his escape from justice will not be an obstacle as long as he will pay an important investment amount.
The service provider registered with the Cyprus Investment Program Andreas Petadges, during his conversation with Billy, confirmed that escape from justice will not prevent him from obtaining a Cypriot passport, stressing that they have their own ways to justify everything, and he was able to obtain approval for a passport application For another person accused of corruption and money laundering, he now has a visa waiting for him without any problems.
He also suggested changing his name in the passport, which would allow the convicted criminal, after obtaining a new passport, to carry a completely new identity, and said, "Of course, we can change the name, this is Cyprus."
Among the institutions that provide services to wealthy investors in particular, we find the Giovanni group specialized in real estate development, which was founded by Member of Parliament Giovanni, and its CEO, Antonis Antonio, said that the person who works for Billy (the hidden island correspondent) should consider investing more in Cyprus. , Amounting to 20 million euros, despite his knowledge that he was a convicted criminal.
To solve any problems that may arise, Betadges indicated that applications can be submitted in the names of family members of those who are not allowed to apply themselves, and later the criminal can apply to join the family.
Politicians' resignations
But when the evidence was brought against the persons in question, they all denied wrongdoing, claiming that they were already suspicious of the undercover team, and that they had supported and filed a report against the journalists with the anti-money laundering unit in Cyprus.
After broadcasting the English version of this program on October 12, the European Commission said, "Its officials almost did not believe what they saw."
On October 13, Christakis Giovanni resigned as Member of Parliament.
On October 15, Demetris Siloris resigned as Speaker of Parliament.
The Cyprus Public Prosecutor announced the opening of a criminal investigation into the cases raised by the investigation.
On October 20, the European Commission announced that it would take punitive measures against Cyprus for violating European Union laws regarding the granting of passports.